Teams | November 30, 2013 at 10:42 AM
Back to the future
Back to the future
On Saturday (30.11.13) Hertha BSC take on FC Augsburg at the Olympic stadium in Berlin.
Berlin - The Bundesliga matchday 14 clash between Hertha BSC and FC Augsburg at the Olympic stadium in the nation's capital on Saturday (30.11.13) is a special one for several Hertha players and coaching staff. Head coach Jos Luhukay, right hand man Markus Gellhaus and players Sebastian Langkamp, Hajime Hosogai and Marcel Ndjeng all played for Augsburg. Until now the teams have met only twice in the top flight. Hertha drew one and lost the other game.
At the pre-match press conference in Berlin, Luhukay confirmed that injured trio Sascha Burchert, John Anthony Brooks and Alexander Baumjohann are all ruled out. Captain Fabian Lustenberger had been suffering with a cold this week, but took part in all of the final training session and is expected to face Augsburg. Of course Luhukay wants to win every home game and knows that Augsburg have won only once on their travels so far losing the other four games. The Hertha boss: "We can beat Augsburg if we give our all." The team needs maximum focus to do so. On the good news side Nico Schulz returns to the squad following injury and could present a real dynamic alternative in Hertha's attacking midfield.
Luhukay demands more efficiency in front of goal
The fact that Hertha are the clear pre-match favourites means nothing to Luhukay who pointed out: "That doesn't change the situation. We want to play our way and put our plans into practise. Then is doesn't matter who you are playing." Despite his side's plucky performance in the 0-1 home defeat to Leverkusen last time out, Luhukay was disappointed with the result and is demanding more efficiency in front of goal on Saturday, so that the team can finally reward themselves for the amount of effort they put in. Young Hany Mukhtar, who came on for the second half against Leverkusen is according to Luhukay: "very close to the team." He could even start against Augsburg. Luhukay: "It is a good thing that players are coming through and offering real and secure in midfield and are able to switch quickly, but our game is based on extremely high fitness levels. We run a lot over 90 minutes, it is one of our strengths." Hertha manager Michael Preetz praised Augsburg at the press conference as he told the media: "We respect Augsburg, who have fought their way into and earned their place in the Bundesliga."
Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl also sees the game as a special one - but not because of the coaches. He explained: "It is nothing special for me to play Hertha. What is special is that we will play in a nice stadium against a tradition-steeped club, but certainly not because of the coaches we face." Augsburg Kingpin André Hahn misses out through suspension ,while injured duo Vlachodimos and Parkhurst are also ruled out. Keeper Alexander Manninger is also in danger of missing the game: "We know that Hertha are two point ahead of us and that a win on Saturday would see us overtake them in the table. Our aim is to collect points and if possible to win there", said the Augsburg boss, who added: "Hertha are our capital city club and belong in the top flight for that reason. It will be a tough game for us and Jos Luhukay was right to say that his team are favourites.” Weinzierl spoke of Hertha's danger men, especially Adrian Ramos and Änis Ben-Hatira. After getting good results at home the FCA coach hopes for an improvement on their travels. He said: "We have not managed to transfer our home form to away games. We have shown flashes of that form but have failed to turn it into points. it is all about doing better."
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Pekarik, Langkamp, Lustenberger, van den Bergh - Cigerci, Hosogai - Allagui, Skjelbred, Ben-Hatira - Ramos
FC Augsburg: Hitz - Verhaegh, Callsen-Bracker, Klavan, Ostrzolek - Baier - Holzhauser/Philp, Vogt, Altintop, Werner - Milik
At the pre-match press conference in Berlin, Luhukay confirmed that injured trio Sascha Burchert, John Anthony Brooks and Alexander Baumjohann are all ruled out. Captain Fabian Lustenberger had been suffering with a cold this week, but took part in all of the final training session and is expected to face Augsburg. Of course Luhukay wants to win every home game and knows that Augsburg have won only once on their travels so far losing the other four games. The Hertha boss: "We can beat Augsburg if we give our all." The team needs maximum focus to do so. On the good news side Nico Schulz returns to the squad following injury and could present a real dynamic alternative in Hertha's attacking midfield.
Luhukay demands more efficiency in front of goal
The fact that Hertha are the clear pre-match favourites means nothing to Luhukay who pointed out: "That doesn't change the situation. We want to play our way and put our plans into practise. Then is doesn't matter who you are playing." Despite his side's plucky performance in the 0-1 home defeat to Leverkusen last time out, Luhukay was disappointed with the result and is demanding more efficiency in front of goal on Saturday, so that the team can finally reward themselves for the amount of effort they put in. Young Hany Mukhtar, who came on for the second half against Leverkusen is according to Luhukay: "very close to the team." He could even start against Augsburg. Luhukay: "It is a good thing that players are coming through and offering real and secure in midfield and are able to switch quickly, but our game is based on extremely high fitness levels. We run a lot over 90 minutes, it is one of our strengths." Hertha manager Michael Preetz praised Augsburg at the press conference as he told the media: "We respect Augsburg, who have fought their way into and earned their place in the Bundesliga."
Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl also sees the game as a special one - but not because of the coaches. He explained: "It is nothing special for me to play Hertha. What is special is that we will play in a nice stadium against a tradition-steeped club, but certainly not because of the coaches we face." Augsburg Kingpin André Hahn misses out through suspension ,while injured duo Vlachodimos and Parkhurst are also ruled out. Keeper Alexander Manninger is also in danger of missing the game: "We know that Hertha are two point ahead of us and that a win on Saturday would see us overtake them in the table. Our aim is to collect points and if possible to win there", said the Augsburg boss, who added: "Hertha are our capital city club and belong in the top flight for that reason. It will be a tough game for us and Jos Luhukay was right to say that his team are favourites.” Weinzierl spoke of Hertha's danger men, especially Adrian Ramos and Änis Ben-Hatira. After getting good results at home the FCA coach hopes for an improvement on their travels. He said: "We have not managed to transfer our home form to away games. We have shown flashes of that form but have failed to turn it into points. it is all about doing better."
Possible line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Kraft - Pekarik, Langkamp, Lustenberger, van den Bergh - Cigerci, Hosogai - Allagui, Skjelbred, Ben-Hatira - Ramos
FC Augsburg: Hitz - Verhaegh, Callsen-Bracker, Klavan, Ostrzolek - Baier - Holzhauser/Philp, Vogt, Altintop, Werner - Milik