Teams | November 19, 2012 at 07:02 PM
Record chasing against St. Pauli
Record chasing against St. Pauli
Hertha could set a new record against the Hamburg-based cult club.
Hertha BSC entertain FC St Pauli in the final game of Bundesliga 2 matchday 14 on Monday night (19.11.12, 20.15 CET). The Berliners could set a new record should they beat Pauli under the floodlights at the Olympic stadium in Berlin. The home side are currently unbeaten in 11 matches, and a win or draw on Monday night would beat the record which has stood since the 2004/2005 season. Hertha boss Jos Luhukay said at the pre-match press conference: "We want to carry on the good work from Sandhausen (6-1) and win another home game!"
The Dutchman is again be without the services of Änis Ben-Hatira. The Tunisian international has been struggling with an ankle injury for a month, and will miss the visit of St.Pauli to the capital city. Luhukay: "Änis tried to start running again this week but the pain was too great." Ben-Hatira's ankle will get a special splint next week. There was some good news though: Keeper Thomas Kraft has come through dental surgery well and will be between the Hertha posts on Monday night. Georgian veteran Levan Kobiashvili is nearing the end of his long suspension, but will not play this year. Long-term injured trio Pierre-Michel Lasogga (cruciate ligament surgery), Maik Franz (shoulder) and Christoph Janker (groin) are all receiving treatment and are ruled out of the matchday 14 clash.
Tribute to Alex Alves
The awful news that the first Brazilian ever to play for Hertha Alex Alves had died from a rare bone disease aged just 37, reached the capital city club on Wednesday morning (14.11.12). The striker had been suffering from Lukemia for four years and had recently received a bone marrow transplant from his brother. Things seemed to be going well but his body eventually rejected the treatment, which led to organ failure and ultimately his death. Alves leaves behind a 13 year old daughter. Hertha manager Michael Preetz said on hearing the news about his former strike partner: "Everyone at Hertha is deeply saddened. Our thoughts are with his family."
To honour Alex Alves, the players will wear black armbands for the game on Monday night. There will also be a minute's silence at the Olympic stadium. The proceeds of a fund called "Hertha help Alex" will go to his daughter Alexandra. Hertha are also putting an education insurance scheme in place for her to secure her future.
Carry on the good work
Hertha strolled to a 6-1 win away to newly-promoted Sandhausen last time out. St.Pauli will be a completely different kettle of fish though, as Luhukay underlined as he told the media at the press conference: "Their new coach Michael Frontzek has steadied the ship. They are a tight unit who wait for a chance to hit you on the break, which makes them unpredictable. We will once again have to take control of the game. Like in Sandhausen we must penetrate their defence and play with lots of determination."
Hertha winger Marcel Ndjeng is well aware of what is required on Monday night. He said this week: "We have to show such teams who are fighting for their lives that we have the upper hand, especially at home. We must match their fighting capabilities with our skill. But we also have to get stuck in and show them: You are at our house in Berlin, however much you want to bite and scratch! That way we will keep the points in Berlin."
Possible line-ups
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Holland, Lustenberger, Brooks, Pekarik - Ndjeng, Kluge, Niemeyer, Ronny, Schulz - Ramos
FC St. Pauli: Tschauner - Schachten, Avevor, Thorandt, Kalla - Kringe, Funk, Bartels, Buchtmann, Schindler - Ginczek
The Dutchman is again be without the services of Änis Ben-Hatira. The Tunisian international has been struggling with an ankle injury for a month, and will miss the visit of St.Pauli to the capital city. Luhukay: "Änis tried to start running again this week but the pain was too great." Ben-Hatira's ankle will get a special splint next week. There was some good news though: Keeper Thomas Kraft has come through dental surgery well and will be between the Hertha posts on Monday night. Georgian veteran Levan Kobiashvili is nearing the end of his long suspension, but will not play this year. Long-term injured trio Pierre-Michel Lasogga (cruciate ligament surgery), Maik Franz (shoulder) and Christoph Janker (groin) are all receiving treatment and are ruled out of the matchday 14 clash.
Tribute to Alex Alves
The awful news that the first Brazilian ever to play for Hertha Alex Alves had died from a rare bone disease aged just 37, reached the capital city club on Wednesday morning (14.11.12). The striker had been suffering from Lukemia for four years and had recently received a bone marrow transplant from his brother. Things seemed to be going well but his body eventually rejected the treatment, which led to organ failure and ultimately his death. Alves leaves behind a 13 year old daughter. Hertha manager Michael Preetz said on hearing the news about his former strike partner: "Everyone at Hertha is deeply saddened. Our thoughts are with his family."
To honour Alex Alves, the players will wear black armbands for the game on Monday night. There will also be a minute's silence at the Olympic stadium. The proceeds of a fund called "Hertha help Alex" will go to his daughter Alexandra. Hertha are also putting an education insurance scheme in place for her to secure her future.
Carry on the good work
Hertha strolled to a 6-1 win away to newly-promoted Sandhausen last time out. St.Pauli will be a completely different kettle of fish though, as Luhukay underlined as he told the media at the press conference: "Their new coach Michael Frontzek has steadied the ship. They are a tight unit who wait for a chance to hit you on the break, which makes them unpredictable. We will once again have to take control of the game. Like in Sandhausen we must penetrate their defence and play with lots of determination."
Hertha winger Marcel Ndjeng is well aware of what is required on Monday night. He said this week: "We have to show such teams who are fighting for their lives that we have the upper hand, especially at home. We must match their fighting capabilities with our skill. But we also have to get stuck in and show them: You are at our house in Berlin, however much you want to bite and scratch! That way we will keep the points in Berlin."
Possible line-ups
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Holland, Lustenberger, Brooks, Pekarik - Ndjeng, Kluge, Niemeyer, Ronny, Schulz - Ramos
FC St. Pauli: Tschauner - Schachten, Avevor, Thorandt, Kalla - Kringe, Funk, Bartels, Buchtmann, Schindler - Ginczek