Tinker-time for Dardai's men on Monday

Pal Dardai and his depleted Hertha squad began their preparations for the game with Hoffenheim on Monday afternoon.

Berlin- Hertha went into their latest week of training with a somewhat unfamiliar set up. Three groups of three went up against each other in the first session on Monday afternoon. There were several reasons behind the new plan. Some Hertha players are still away on international duty, though four of those selected for their countries were back in the capital. Valentin Stocker and Maximilian Mittelstädt joined in full team training. “Maxi was always going to come back to us after the first game, we need him,” explained Dardai. Vladimir Darida and Peter Pekarik, both of whom played on Sunday, took part in some light jogging around the training ground. The majority of the rest of the absentees are expected to return on Wednesday, with Genk Haraguchi the last to rejoin Dardai’s setup from Japan later in the week.

Plattenhardt and Brooks ill

Further explanation of the depleted numbers came from the injured and those currently unwell. As long as Mitchell Weiser (hamstring) and John Anthony Brooks (infection), Marvin Plattenhardt was also laid up with an ear infection. Ondrej Duda trained alone, while Salomon Kalou continues to train indoors individually. “It will be touch and go for Friday,” said Dardai. “If his injury has not healed 100% by Friday then we won’t risk it,” explained the Hertha boss.

Adjustments by Dárdai

Prior to the match at home against 1899 Hoffenheim (31st March 2017), the Hungarian is looking to “tinker with the squad a bit”. It is shaping up to be a challenge for the members of the training staff as they look to make sure all the boys are at ideal fitness levels for the upcoming game. Yet the manager sees it practically and remains optimistic: “That’s the way it is with international games. We’ll get it right, and there will be a team out on the pitch come Friday.” Hertha will be taking on TSG, who are five points ahead of them. Sinan Kurt is not yet ready to play, despite having trained with the team all week. “He needs a bit more time,” said the manager. One option open to the staff is Julius Kade, who should train with the professionals throughout the week.

Dárdai still has a bit of time to tinker with the squad before Friday, and he will continue to do so in Tuesday’s training session from 10:00 onwards. The rest of the week sees the Berliners train in public under the sunshine.

Berlin- Hertha went into their latest week of training with a somewhat unfamiliar set up. Three groups of three went up against each other in the first session on Monday afternoon. There were several reasons behind the new plan. Some Hertha players are still away on international duty, though four of those selected for their countries were back in the capital. Valentin Stocker and Maximilian Mittelstädt joined in full team training. “Maxi was always going to come back to us after the first game, we need him,” explained Dardai. Vladimir Darida and Peter Pekarik, both of whom played on Sunday, took part in some light jogging around the training ground. The majority of the rest of the absentees are expected to return on Wednesday, with Genk Haraguchi the last to rejoin Dardai’s setup from Japan later in the week.

Plattenhardt and Brooks ill

Further explanation of the depleted numbers came from the injured and those currently unwell. As long as Mitchell Weiser (hamstring) and John Anthony Brooks (infection), Marvin Plattenhardt was also laid up with an ear infection. Ondrej Duda trained alone, while Salomon Kalou continues to train indoors individually. “It will be touch and go for Friday,” said Dardai. “If his injury has not healed 100% by Friday then we won’t risk it,” explained the Hertha boss.

Adjustments by Dárdai

Prior to the match at home against 1899 Hoffenheim (31st March 2017), the Hungarian is looking to “tinker with the squad a bit”. It is shaping up to be a challenge for the members of the training staff as they look to make sure all the boys are at ideal fitness levels for the upcoming game. Yet the manager sees it practically and remains optimistic: “That’s the way it is with international games. We’ll get it right, and there will be a team out on the pitch come Friday.” Hertha will be taking on TSG, who are five points ahead of them. Sinan Kurt is not yet ready to play, despite having trained with the team all week. “He needs a bit more time,” said the manager. One option open to the staff is Julius Kade, who should train with the professionals throughout the week.

Dárdai still has a bit of time to tinker with the squad before Friday, and he will continue to do so in Tuesday’s training session from 10:00 onwards. The rest of the week sees the Berliners train in public under the sunshine.