Teams | February 11, 2013 at 04:58 PM
Derby time Bring it on!
Derby time Bring it on!
Because Braunschweig only drew on Friday night, a derby win for Hertha on Monday night will send them top of the table.
We can't wait! On Monday (11.02.13, 20.15 CET), Hertha take on cross-town rivals Union Berlin in front of over 70,000 at the Olympic stadium. Both sets of fans have had the encounter marked in their calendars for months. When the teams emerge from the tunnel under the floodlights of the tradition-steeped stadium, the eyes of football Germany will be upon them. There will be one burning question on everyone's lips: Who is the best team in the capital city? Blue and white or red and white?
"It is special because it is not just another game, as the crowd of 75,000 for a Bundesliga 2 clash underlines", said Hertha boss Jos Luhukay looking forward to the game earlier in the week. The Dutchman added: "Two good teams go head to head. Two teams who made a poor start to the season, but have continually improved as the season progressed." For the blue and white side of town the aim is clear: A derby win would see them overtake Braunschweig at the top of the table, after the leaders lost feathers by only drawing with VfR Ahlen on Friday night. No further motivation is needed.
Crucial return
Things have improved for Luhukay with regard to team selection since the 5-1 away win in Regensburg last time out. Peter Niemeyer looks likely to make his return which is good news for everyone. The Hertha captain has been able to fully train this week. Luhukay: "He is a good player who helps the team with his intelligence on the pitch. He is also a role model off the pitch. He is able to get the team behind him and keeps a cool head under pressure." Peer Kluge, who injured an ankle in Regensburg has been fully training since Friday and could also feature.
"I have high hopes that both will be able to play on Monday night. They give us the stability and balance so crucial to our game", added Luhukay. Peter Pekarik is a further option for the Hertha coach after the youngster made a good impression in a reserve game on Wednesday. Fabian Holland is suspended after picking up a fifth booking in Regensburg. Felix Bastians will replace him at left back. Two players who must be kicking themselves at missing out are Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Maik Franz, who have been dropped from the squad for a training ground altercation on Friday. Further players not in contention are: Schulz, Janker, Mukhtar and Knoll. On the good news side Änis Ben-Hatira, Alfredo Morales and Levan Kobiashvili are included in the squad.
Emotional game
A glance at the record book reveals pretty even statistics against Union Berlin. There have been three matches between the teams so far. Both sides have a victory to their name and the other game was drawn. Earlier in the season Hertha beat them 2-1 at their Alten Försterei stadium and face a team on Monday night which seems to be unbalanced between defence and attack. Union have scored twice in no less than twelve of their 20 matches so far. Only Hertha (same tally) can match them in that department. On the other hand, coach Uwe Neuhause's team have conceded 28 - the worst record of the teams in the top half of the table: "We know the kind of quality awaiting us and will prepare accordingly," explained Luhukay before singling out Union's seven-goal scorer Terodde as a possible danger man.
The game against Hertha's Köpenick-based arch rivals is the most eagerly-anticipated of the year. Änis Ben-Hatira wants to win the "capital city championship". Jay Brooks can't wait for the game about which he says: "A full house is the highlight of the season." Sandro Wagner : "There will be huge emotions from the fans and the teams. We will give everything for the cause until the very last minute." Jay Brooks - one of Hertha's scorers in the first meeting said: "I don't have to say who I think will leave the pitch victorious." Hertha BSC against Union Berlin, or blue and white versus red and white. The whole city is in derby fever looking forward to (hopefully) 90 minutes of action packed football. Just one more thing left to say then: "Come on Hertha. Give us the bragging rights in the capital city!" See you all there!
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Ndjeng, Lustenberger, Brooks, Bastians - Niemeyer, Kluge - Allagui, Ronny, Sahar - Ramos
Union Berlin: Haas - Kopplin, Puncec, Schönheim, Kohlmann - Özbek, Menz, Mattuschka, Quiring - Nemec, Terodde
"It is special because it is not just another game, as the crowd of 75,000 for a Bundesliga 2 clash underlines", said Hertha boss Jos Luhukay looking forward to the game earlier in the week. The Dutchman added: "Two good teams go head to head. Two teams who made a poor start to the season, but have continually improved as the season progressed." For the blue and white side of town the aim is clear: A derby win would see them overtake Braunschweig at the top of the table, after the leaders lost feathers by only drawing with VfR Ahlen on Friday night. No further motivation is needed.
Crucial return
Things have improved for Luhukay with regard to team selection since the 5-1 away win in Regensburg last time out. Peter Niemeyer looks likely to make his return which is good news for everyone. The Hertha captain has been able to fully train this week. Luhukay: "He is a good player who helps the team with his intelligence on the pitch. He is also a role model off the pitch. He is able to get the team behind him and keeps a cool head under pressure." Peer Kluge, who injured an ankle in Regensburg has been fully training since Friday and could also feature.
"I have high hopes that both will be able to play on Monday night. They give us the stability and balance so crucial to our game", added Luhukay. Peter Pekarik is a further option for the Hertha coach after the youngster made a good impression in a reserve game on Wednesday. Fabian Holland is suspended after picking up a fifth booking in Regensburg. Felix Bastians will replace him at left back. Two players who must be kicking themselves at missing out are Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Maik Franz, who have been dropped from the squad for a training ground altercation on Friday. Further players not in contention are: Schulz, Janker, Mukhtar and Knoll. On the good news side Änis Ben-Hatira, Alfredo Morales and Levan Kobiashvili are included in the squad.
Emotional game
A glance at the record book reveals pretty even statistics against Union Berlin. There have been three matches between the teams so far. Both sides have a victory to their name and the other game was drawn. Earlier in the season Hertha beat them 2-1 at their Alten Försterei stadium and face a team on Monday night which seems to be unbalanced between defence and attack. Union have scored twice in no less than twelve of their 20 matches so far. Only Hertha (same tally) can match them in that department. On the other hand, coach Uwe Neuhause's team have conceded 28 - the worst record of the teams in the top half of the table: "We know the kind of quality awaiting us and will prepare accordingly," explained Luhukay before singling out Union's seven-goal scorer Terodde as a possible danger man.
The game against Hertha's Köpenick-based arch rivals is the most eagerly-anticipated of the year. Änis Ben-Hatira wants to win the "capital city championship". Jay Brooks can't wait for the game about which he says: "A full house is the highlight of the season." Sandro Wagner : "There will be huge emotions from the fans and the teams. We will give everything for the cause until the very last minute." Jay Brooks - one of Hertha's scorers in the first meeting said: "I don't have to say who I think will leave the pitch victorious." Hertha BSC against Union Berlin, or blue and white versus red and white. The whole city is in derby fever looking forward to (hopefully) 90 minutes of action packed football. Just one more thing left to say then: "Come on Hertha. Give us the bragging rights in the capital city!" See you all there!
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Ndjeng, Lustenberger, Brooks, Bastians - Niemeyer, Kluge - Allagui, Ronny, Sahar - Ramos
Union Berlin: Haas - Kopplin, Puncec, Schönheim, Kohlmann - Özbek, Menz, Mattuschka, Quiring - Nemec, Terodde