Teams | November 6, 2012 at 03:18 PM
Mouth-watering clash in Berlin
Mouth-watering clash in Berlin
In 1931, Hertha BSC won their last league title against TSV 1860 München. On Friday evening (05.10.12), the fixture will be played again, with of course "only" three points at stake this time around.
On Friday evening (05.10.12, 18.00 CET), Bundesliga 2 football fans can look forward to a real feast of football, as Hertha BSC entertain high-flying 1860 München in the top game of matchday 9, under the floodlights at the Olympic stadium in Berlin. The "Lions" as Friday's visitors are known have yet to lose a Bundesliga 2 match this season and have only conceded three goals in their seven games so far. Tough task ahead then for the capital city side currently in sixth place in the table. Their coach Jos Luhukay wants a win before the Bundesliga season stops for a break for international games. The Dutchman: "It will be a very tough encounter, but we want to force our game onto them and keep all three points here in Berlin."
Luhukay is still unsure of who will be fit to play. First team regulars Ronny, Peter Niemeyer and Sandro Wagner are all consiered doubtful. Striker Wagner has been laid low this week with a stamina-sapping stomach bug, while Ronny is trying to shake off minor knocks sustained during the 2-2 draw at lowly MSV Duisburg last Monday night. Captain Peter Niemeyer is still struggling with the injury which prevented him from playing in Duisburg. Luhukay will make a final decision on his starting line-up after the final training session on Friday morning. He told the media at the pre-match press conference: "We have a lot of tough games ahead of us, so I will only pick players who are fully fit." Roman Hubnik who opened the scoring in Duisburg has been ruled out with a hip problem. Luhukay already knew he would be without long term injured Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Christoph Janker, Shervin R. Fardi Marvin Knoll and Maik Franz. Young Felix Bastians misses out with a knee problem, while veteran defender Levan Kobiashvilli is still suspended until the end of the first half of the season.
Hello again!
The man between the 1860 posts is a legend in Hertha circles: Hungarian keeper Gabor Kiraly still enjoys cult status at the capital city club after wearing their jersey ( and his trademark track suit bottoms) for seven years from 1997 to 2004 (252 appearances). Kiraly remembers: "I was very young when I joined Hertha. I learnt everything I know there. I am usually a person who always looks forward, but I have such fond memories both on and off the pitch from my time in Berlin that I could fill a book with them. Seven years is a long time."
Clean sheet
One Hertha player will have slightly odd memories of the last time the teams met on December 5th 2010 - curly-haired Swiss midfield battler Fabian Lustenberger, who had to play an unusual role in the game at the Allianz-Arena in München: Hertha had used up their substitutes as then keeper Marco Sejna was sent off. "Lusti" took over in goal and kept a clean sheet. The popular Swiss international said this week of Friday's encounter: "It will be a tough game, but I believe we have the quality to ensure that we keep all three points here in Berlin."
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Holland, Lustenberger, Brooks, Pekarik - Ndjeng Kluge, Ronny, Ramos - Allagui, Wagner
TSV 1860 München: Kiraly - Wojtkowiak, Aygün, Vallori, Volz - D. Stahl, Bülow - Stoppelkamp, Bierofka, D. Halfar - Lauth
Luhukay is still unsure of who will be fit to play. First team regulars Ronny, Peter Niemeyer and Sandro Wagner are all consiered doubtful. Striker Wagner has been laid low this week with a stamina-sapping stomach bug, while Ronny is trying to shake off minor knocks sustained during the 2-2 draw at lowly MSV Duisburg last Monday night. Captain Peter Niemeyer is still struggling with the injury which prevented him from playing in Duisburg. Luhukay will make a final decision on his starting line-up after the final training session on Friday morning. He told the media at the pre-match press conference: "We have a lot of tough games ahead of us, so I will only pick players who are fully fit." Roman Hubnik who opened the scoring in Duisburg has been ruled out with a hip problem. Luhukay already knew he would be without long term injured Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Christoph Janker, Shervin R. Fardi Marvin Knoll and Maik Franz. Young Felix Bastians misses out with a knee problem, while veteran defender Levan Kobiashvilli is still suspended until the end of the first half of the season.
Hello again!
The man between the 1860 posts is a legend in Hertha circles: Hungarian keeper Gabor Kiraly still enjoys cult status at the capital city club after wearing their jersey ( and his trademark track suit bottoms) for seven years from 1997 to 2004 (252 appearances). Kiraly remembers: "I was very young when I joined Hertha. I learnt everything I know there. I am usually a person who always looks forward, but I have such fond memories both on and off the pitch from my time in Berlin that I could fill a book with them. Seven years is a long time."
Clean sheet
One Hertha player will have slightly odd memories of the last time the teams met on December 5th 2010 - curly-haired Swiss midfield battler Fabian Lustenberger, who had to play an unusual role in the game at the Allianz-Arena in München: Hertha had used up their substitutes as then keeper Marco Sejna was sent off. "Lusti" took over in goal and kept a clean sheet. The popular Swiss international said this week of Friday's encounter: "It will be a tough game, but I believe we have the quality to ensure that we keep all three points here in Berlin."
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Holland, Lustenberger, Brooks, Pekarik - Ndjeng Kluge, Ronny, Ramos - Allagui, Wagner
TSV 1860 München: Kiraly - Wojtkowiak, Aygün, Vallori, Volz - D. Stahl, Bülow - Stoppelkamp, Bierofka, D. Halfar - Lauth