Teams | February 8, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Hertha could go top
Hertha could go top
A win over FSV Frankfurt (15.12.12) could temporarily see Hertha BSC top the Bundesliga 2 table.
In the final game of 2012 on Saturday (15.12.12), Hertha entertain FSV Frankfurt at the Olympic stadium in Berlin. The capital city side have seen the recent points cushion of league leaders Eintracht Braunschweg shrink from seven to just two ahead of the matchday 19 encounter, so a victory over Frankfurt would send Hertha top - at least until Braunschweig play Hertha's cross-town rivals Union Berlin on Monday: "We want to reach top spot by beating Frankfurt, because it is important to spend at least the weekend there in order to go into the winter break in a positiv mood and it would set us up nicely for the second half of the season", said Hertha coach Jos Luhukay ahead of the visit of FSV to Berlin.
The Dutchman told the media at the pre-match press conference: "We all emerged from Paderborn unscathed and apart from the known long-term injured players everyone is fit, so I have no selection problems." Those ruled out of facing FSV through injury are: Peter Pekarik, Maik Franz, Christoph Janker, Änis Ben-Hatira and Nico Schulz. Pierre-Michel Lasogga has been training again for a fortnight but will have to be patient. The young striker: "I am glad to be back fully training again. I want to begin playing again after the winter break." Levan Kobiashvili and Alfredo Morales are suspended.
Last league defeat
The teams first met on matchday 2 of the current season. Until halftime, everything was going to plan for the capital city visitors. Änis Ben-Hatira had given Hertha the lead shortly before the break with his first goal of the new season. Everything then fell apart during the second half, as a defensive mistake saw Hertha keeper Sascha Burchert sent off and Hertha quickly conceded an equalising goal. In the end FSV Frankfurt won 3-1, handing Hertha what was their last defeat in the current season.
"That game in we played with ten men for the second half came to early for us. I don't want to see the likes of it again. We dropped points although we were the better side and should have won", remembers Marcel Ndjeng. Thre winger did however glean some positive things from that game. He explained: "We grew closer together as a team and it made us a better side.
Holland remains in Berlin
Full back Fabian Holland gave Hertha fans a little early Chrismas cheer on Thursday (13.12.12) by extending his contract, which was due to expire at the end of this season by a further three years. The new deal ends on June 30th 2016. Luhukay had words of praise for the 22 year old talent: "Fabian is a great lad in charachter and as a player. He has made the most of his positive development this season. His contract extension is a positive signal to other young players that they might also pledge their future to Hertha BSC. He will give us a lot of enjoyment in the future." Manager Michael Preetz was also happy to have got his man. The former Hertha striker: "Fabian understands what this season means to him. He took his chance and played his way into the team. We are delighted to tie a player who came through the ranks here to the club long term."
Fabian Holland has been a Hertha player since 2003, making him one of the longest serving players at the club. The 22 year old defender told us that it did not take him long to decide on a three year contract extension. Holland: "I have felt at home at his club for many years. Hertha BSC were always going to be the first people I spoke to regarding my future and everything went quickly. I think that all sides are happy." The lad had high hopes as he looks ahead to the final game of the year at home to FSV Frankfurt. He told us: "We are all keen to spend the winter break in first place. We have the chance to do so against Frankfurt and want to take it. They beat us earlier in the season but we are more solid now and are capable of beating them. Going into the break with a positive result will be a boost for everyone."
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Holland, Lustenberger, Brooks, Ndjeng - Kluge, Niemeyer - Sahar, Ronny, Allagui - Ramos
FSV Frankfurt: Klandt - Huber, Schlicke, Heubach, Teixeira - Konrad, Y. Stark - M. Görlitz, Yun - Verhoek, Kapllani
The Dutchman told the media at the pre-match press conference: "We all emerged from Paderborn unscathed and apart from the known long-term injured players everyone is fit, so I have no selection problems." Those ruled out of facing FSV through injury are: Peter Pekarik, Maik Franz, Christoph Janker, Änis Ben-Hatira and Nico Schulz. Pierre-Michel Lasogga has been training again for a fortnight but will have to be patient. The young striker: "I am glad to be back fully training again. I want to begin playing again after the winter break." Levan Kobiashvili and Alfredo Morales are suspended.
Last league defeat
The teams first met on matchday 2 of the current season. Until halftime, everything was going to plan for the capital city visitors. Änis Ben-Hatira had given Hertha the lead shortly before the break with his first goal of the new season. Everything then fell apart during the second half, as a defensive mistake saw Hertha keeper Sascha Burchert sent off and Hertha quickly conceded an equalising goal. In the end FSV Frankfurt won 3-1, handing Hertha what was their last defeat in the current season.
"That game in we played with ten men for the second half came to early for us. I don't want to see the likes of it again. We dropped points although we were the better side and should have won", remembers Marcel Ndjeng. Thre winger did however glean some positive things from that game. He explained: "We grew closer together as a team and it made us a better side.
Holland remains in Berlin
Full back Fabian Holland gave Hertha fans a little early Chrismas cheer on Thursday (13.12.12) by extending his contract, which was due to expire at the end of this season by a further three years. The new deal ends on June 30th 2016. Luhukay had words of praise for the 22 year old talent: "Fabian is a great lad in charachter and as a player. He has made the most of his positive development this season. His contract extension is a positive signal to other young players that they might also pledge their future to Hertha BSC. He will give us a lot of enjoyment in the future." Manager Michael Preetz was also happy to have got his man. The former Hertha striker: "Fabian understands what this season means to him. He took his chance and played his way into the team. We are delighted to tie a player who came through the ranks here to the club long term."
Fabian Holland has been a Hertha player since 2003, making him one of the longest serving players at the club. The 22 year old defender told us that it did not take him long to decide on a three year contract extension. Holland: "I have felt at home at his club for many years. Hertha BSC were always going to be the first people I spoke to regarding my future and everything went quickly. I think that all sides are happy." The lad had high hopes as he looks ahead to the final game of the year at home to FSV Frankfurt. He told us: "We are all keen to spend the winter break in first place. We have the chance to do so against Frankfurt and want to take it. They beat us earlier in the season but we are more solid now and are capable of beating them. Going into the break with a positive result will be a boost for everyone."
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Holland, Lustenberger, Brooks, Ndjeng - Kluge, Niemeyer - Sahar, Ronny, Allagui - Ramos
FSV Frankfurt: Klandt - Huber, Schlicke, Heubach, Teixeira - Konrad, Y. Stark - M. Görlitz, Yun - Verhoek, Kapllani