Teams | September 25, 2013 at 06:35 PM
Cup action in Kaiserslautern
Cup action in Kaiserslautern
Hertha BSC face Kaiserslautern away in round 2 of the DFB Cup on Wednesday night (25.09.13).
Berlin - Hertha visit the tradition-steeped Betzenberg stadium on Wednesday night (25.09.13), where Bundesliga 2 side Kaiserslautern await them for a 2013/14 DFB Cup second round clash. The teams met in the same competition in December 2011. Hertha beat Lautern 3-1 at the Olympic stadium in Berlin that night to advance to the next round. Lautern hope that home advantage will give them the edge needed to reach the draw for round 3.
Jos Luhukay describes Lautern as an "ambitious" side who are strong despite only currently being placed 11th in the Bundesliga 2 table. The Hertha coach: "Kaiserslautern is of course anything but an easy draw. We are all well aware of how the atmosphere at the Betzenberg can be. I don't see us as the pre-match favourites. Lautern are a side with a lot of quality, they simply haven't made the best of starts to the new season." The Dutchman is sure that Lautern will turn things around and challenge for promotion back to the top flight this season. Luhukay hopes that by winning in Lautern, team confidence will be high for his side's Bundesliga matchday 6 encounter at home to Mainz on Saturday (29.09.13, 15.30 CET).
Victory crucial for many reasons
"I hope that we progress to the next round, not just sportingly speaking, but also financially. Such things are important to our club", knows Luhukay. The Hertha boss has not had his players practise penalties this week. He explained: "You can't train the tension and pressure." He was playing his cards close to his chest with regard to who will replace injured defender John Anthony Brooks in his starting eleven. One thing is for sure according to Luhukay: "You don't win games at the Betzenberg playing pretty football. You have to roll your sleeves up and try to put your stamp on the game." Alexander Baumjohann who joined Hertha from Lautern during the summer transfer window will miss out on facing his former club after damaging cruciate ligaments. He will be sorely missed by his coach who told us: "If one player will be badly missed this season it is Alexander Baumjohann, because he has extra qualities, which we will sadly have to do without for a long time." Luhukay named the games against Stuttgart and Freiburg as matches where Baumjohann would have been crucial for his intelligent way of playing and creativity.
Lautern boss Runjaic had his mind instantly on the visit of Hertha after his side had drawn 0-0 Köln in Bundesliga 2 on Friday night (20.09.13). He revealed: "We started thinking about the Hertha game on the coach trip back to Kaiserslautern from Köln." The 42 year old coach said of Hertha: "I must say that Hertha are a top side who cruised to promotion last season. They have made a spectacular return to the top flight and we watched them in Freiburg. We will have to give our all to beat them." Runjaic sees the fact that Wednesday's game is a KO encounter as an advantage. The coach: "It is an all or nothing game and we must not run and hide. We want to play attacking football." The "Red Devils" (Lautern) look likely to field top striker 'Mo' Idrissou, who returns to the team after suspension. The striker has promised Runjaic that if he picks him he will score against Hertha.
Runjaic hopes that team spirit and a good atmosphere will see his side through
Runjaic is well aware of the importance of tightness in his team: "When we are a tight unit and focused they are crucial qualities. The team did that well in Koln and we want more of the same for my home debut." He wants to put the visitors under pressure from the off and force Hertha into making mistakes.
The new Lautern coach understands the feelings of the fans who are disappointed at the team's start in the new season. Around 20,500 tickets have so far been sold for the cup clash. Runjaic is convinced that a half full Betzenberg can still create a top atmosphere. The coach: "I am sure that 20,000 inside the Betzenberg will make a lot of noise for us."
Jos Luhukay describes Lautern as an "ambitious" side who are strong despite only currently being placed 11th in the Bundesliga 2 table. The Hertha coach: "Kaiserslautern is of course anything but an easy draw. We are all well aware of how the atmosphere at the Betzenberg can be. I don't see us as the pre-match favourites. Lautern are a side with a lot of quality, they simply haven't made the best of starts to the new season." The Dutchman is sure that Lautern will turn things around and challenge for promotion back to the top flight this season. Luhukay hopes that by winning in Lautern, team confidence will be high for his side's Bundesliga matchday 6 encounter at home to Mainz on Saturday (29.09.13, 15.30 CET).
Victory crucial for many reasons
"I hope that we progress to the next round, not just sportingly speaking, but also financially. Such things are important to our club", knows Luhukay. The Hertha boss has not had his players practise penalties this week. He explained: "You can't train the tension and pressure." He was playing his cards close to his chest with regard to who will replace injured defender John Anthony Brooks in his starting eleven. One thing is for sure according to Luhukay: "You don't win games at the Betzenberg playing pretty football. You have to roll your sleeves up and try to put your stamp on the game." Alexander Baumjohann who joined Hertha from Lautern during the summer transfer window will miss out on facing his former club after damaging cruciate ligaments. He will be sorely missed by his coach who told us: "If one player will be badly missed this season it is Alexander Baumjohann, because he has extra qualities, which we will sadly have to do without for a long time." Luhukay named the games against Stuttgart and Freiburg as matches where Baumjohann would have been crucial for his intelligent way of playing and creativity.
Lautern boss Runjaic had his mind instantly on the visit of Hertha after his side had drawn 0-0 Köln in Bundesliga 2 on Friday night (20.09.13). He revealed: "We started thinking about the Hertha game on the coach trip back to Kaiserslautern from Köln." The 42 year old coach said of Hertha: "I must say that Hertha are a top side who cruised to promotion last season. They have made a spectacular return to the top flight and we watched them in Freiburg. We will have to give our all to beat them." Runjaic sees the fact that Wednesday's game is a KO encounter as an advantage. The coach: "It is an all or nothing game and we must not run and hide. We want to play attacking football." The "Red Devils" (Lautern) look likely to field top striker 'Mo' Idrissou, who returns to the team after suspension. The striker has promised Runjaic that if he picks him he will score against Hertha.
Runjaic hopes that team spirit and a good atmosphere will see his side through
Runjaic is well aware of the importance of tightness in his team: "When we are a tight unit and focused they are crucial qualities. The team did that well in Koln and we want more of the same for my home debut." He wants to put the visitors under pressure from the off and force Hertha into making mistakes.
The new Lautern coach understands the feelings of the fans who are disappointed at the team's start in the new season. Around 20,500 tickets have so far been sold for the cup clash. Runjaic is convinced that a half full Betzenberg can still create a top atmosphere. The coach: "I am sure that 20,000 inside the Betzenberg will make a lot of noise for us."
Possible line-ups
1. FC Kaiserslautern: Sippel - Dick, Simunek, Torrejon, Löwe - Orban, Karl - Matmour, Gaus - Idrissou, ZollerHertha BSC: Kraft - Janker, Franz, Lustenberger, Holland - Hosogai, Kobiashvilli/Niemeyer - Skjelbred, Ronny, Ben-Hatira - Ramos