Teams | November 6, 2012 at 03:21 PM
Berlin derby number three
Berlin derby number three
On Monday night (03.09.12, 20.15 CET) Hertha BSC face cross-town rivals Union Berlin for only the third time ever.
Matchday 4 of the new season is a special one for capital city fans. In fact for some it is the matchday of the whole season. On Monday evening (03.09.12, 20.15 CET) Hertha BSC make the short trip to the local neighbourhood of Köpenick, where they will lock horns with Union Berlin for what will only be the third time ever. It goes without saying that the game at the Alten Försterei stadium is completely sold out. Strangely, in the 2010/11 season, the teams met there also on matchday 4. That day the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Peter Niemeyer had put the visitors ahead on 2 minutes, but the home side pulled level through Santi Kolk eight minutes from full time.
Hertha coach Jos Luhukay has by no means all of his players at his disposal for the Berlin derby. Apart from the long-term injured Christoph Janker, Shervin R. Fardi and Pierre-Michel Lasogga and the suspended veteran Levan Kobiashvilli, the Dutchman is also without the services of Daniel Beichler. The young Austrian who rejoined first team training last week after a spell in his homeland for family reasons, broke a bone in his foot during the recent friendly against UMM Salal Sports Club Doha (3:0), and will be sidelined for between four to six weeks. Luhukay told the media at the pre-match press conference: "It's a real shame for Daniel, who hasn't exactly been blessed with luck recently. He has to remain calm and then resume training again when he is ready."
Clear goal
Hertha's new boss is relishing the impending all-Berlin affair. He said: "I can't wait for the game! We want to win and must show that from the opening whistle. A win would mean a large step in the right direction for us." He knows however that Monday's clash will be anything but easy. He explained: "Union need the points as badly as we do. There is a lot of pressure on both teams."
Helping to secure those crucial points will be a man whose Hertha future has recently been settled. Columbian striker Adrian Ramos. Luhukay is happy that the matter has finallly been resolved: "Adrian's decision to remain at the club makes sporting sense. He is of course not in top form at the moment but is not far off. We he hits top form again he will be very valuable to us. Playing on Monday will help Adrian", knows the Hertha supremo. Ramos scored two of Hertha's goals in the friendly against UMM Salal Sports Club Doha.
Players can't wait for the action to start
Thomas Kraft makes his return between the Hertha posts after suspension. The keeper will have the number one on his back for the first time and is more than up for it. He told us: "It feels like an eternity since I last played. Now it is simply a wonderful feeling to be able to get some action again. I can't wait for Monday's match!"
Striker Sandro Wagner, who scored in each of Hertha's last two league games is also raring to go in Köpenick. He said: "I have played in München derbies between Bayern and 1860. I played for Bremen against arch rival HSV and they were unbelievable encounters. But now I am playing for Hertha and we face Union. My team mates have told me how special such games are, and that they can even top the ones I have been involved in up to now."
So the talking is done and the stage has been set. Monday night's clash will determine which set of fans will have the Berlin bragging rights until the next meeting at the Olympic stadium. Come on Hertha BSC!
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Holland, Franz, Hubnik, Ndjeng - Kluge, Niemeyer, Ben-Hatira, Ramos - Allagui, Wagner
Union Berlin: Haas – Pfertzel, Stuff, Menz, Kohlmann - Karl, Mattuschka, Gallegos, Parensen, Quiring - Terodde
Hertha coach Jos Luhukay has by no means all of his players at his disposal for the Berlin derby. Apart from the long-term injured Christoph Janker, Shervin R. Fardi and Pierre-Michel Lasogga and the suspended veteran Levan Kobiashvilli, the Dutchman is also without the services of Daniel Beichler. The young Austrian who rejoined first team training last week after a spell in his homeland for family reasons, broke a bone in his foot during the recent friendly against UMM Salal Sports Club Doha (3:0), and will be sidelined for between four to six weeks. Luhukay told the media at the pre-match press conference: "It's a real shame for Daniel, who hasn't exactly been blessed with luck recently. He has to remain calm and then resume training again when he is ready."
Clear goal
Hertha's new boss is relishing the impending all-Berlin affair. He said: "I can't wait for the game! We want to win and must show that from the opening whistle. A win would mean a large step in the right direction for us." He knows however that Monday's clash will be anything but easy. He explained: "Union need the points as badly as we do. There is a lot of pressure on both teams."
Helping to secure those crucial points will be a man whose Hertha future has recently been settled. Columbian striker Adrian Ramos. Luhukay is happy that the matter has finallly been resolved: "Adrian's decision to remain at the club makes sporting sense. He is of course not in top form at the moment but is not far off. We he hits top form again he will be very valuable to us. Playing on Monday will help Adrian", knows the Hertha supremo. Ramos scored two of Hertha's goals in the friendly against UMM Salal Sports Club Doha.
Players can't wait for the action to start
Thomas Kraft makes his return between the Hertha posts after suspension. The keeper will have the number one on his back for the first time and is more than up for it. He told us: "It feels like an eternity since I last played. Now it is simply a wonderful feeling to be able to get some action again. I can't wait for Monday's match!"
Striker Sandro Wagner, who scored in each of Hertha's last two league games is also raring to go in Köpenick. He said: "I have played in München derbies between Bayern and 1860. I played for Bremen against arch rival HSV and they were unbelievable encounters. But now I am playing for Hertha and we face Union. My team mates have told me how special such games are, and that they can even top the ones I have been involved in up to now."
So the talking is done and the stage has been set. Monday night's clash will determine which set of fans will have the Berlin bragging rights until the next meeting at the Olympic stadium. Come on Hertha BSC!
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Holland, Franz, Hubnik, Ndjeng - Kluge, Niemeyer, Ben-Hatira, Ramos - Allagui, Wagner
Union Berlin: Haas – Pfertzel, Stuff, Menz, Kohlmann - Karl, Mattuschka, Gallegos, Parensen, Quiring - Terodde