Gather strength for end of season push

Hertha started their preparations for this weekend’s game with VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday, as the Bundesliga run-in hots up.

Berlin- After giving his men two days off after the game in Mainz, Pal Dardai welcomed the Hertha BSC players back to training on Tuesday afternoon. The time off wasn’t because of a strong performance in Mainz, rather a chance for the players to clear their heads ahead of the final five games of the season. The mini break will be the final rest until the middle of May. “That was the last proper rest,” said Dardai, “We now have to gather together all our strength for the end of season push.”

Hertha’s squad puzzle

The 80-minute session, rounded off with an endurance run, saw even more players have to miss out than in recent weeks. Julian Schieber (Knee) and Sinan Kurt (Ankle) were joined on the sidelines by Mitchell Weiser (muscle strain). “Mitch has resustained an old inury, so that makes things very difficult. He has to trust his body, particularly when it comes to unfamiliar movements,” said Dardai. Hertha’s number 23 will undergo a check up in Munich later this week.

Niklas Stark (Foot) and Valentin Stocker were also absent from the session at Schenckendorffplatz. “Niklas has been carrying an injury for a couple of weeks now and will need a couple of weeks of team training in order to be ready once again,” said the boss. “We night see him once more this season.”

Fabian Lustenberger, who has seen his training limited since the beginning of March due to a groin problem, was finally able to train with grass under his feet - albeit individually. “Lusti is not yet allowed to wear boots. He might be able to do that on Wednesday, but he must first get into a rhythm of training,” said the coach when asked of a potential quick return for the Swiss.

Alternativen im Kader

Alternatives in the squad

Saturday’s game will come to early for all of the aforementioned players, but the return of Vladimir Darida from suspension will at least give Dardai a couple more options than last weekend. Even Ondrej Duda, who made the bench for the trip to Mainz, could get a run out.

“We do not want to risk anything. Ondrej is not in contention to start, but a few minutes at the end might suit him,” explained Dardai.

Vedad Ibisevic was forced to leave the session early after a coming together with Jordan Torunarigha. “Two strong figures have come together there, so we will have to wait and see,” said Dardai.

The coach will be praying his captain makes it into Wednesday’s two sessions, which will take place at 10:00 and 15:30 CEST and be open to the public. Training on Thursday and Friday will take place behind closed doors as preparations for Matchday 30 at 15:30 in the Olympiastadion against VfL Wolfsburg are finalized.

Berlin- After giving his men two days off after the game in Mainz, Pal Dardai welcomed the Hertha BSC players back to training on Tuesday afternoon. The time off wasn’t because of a strong performance in Mainz, rather a chance for the players to clear their heads ahead of the final five games of the season. The mini break will be the final rest until the middle of May. “That was the last proper rest,” said Dardai, “We now have to gather together all our strength for the end of season push.”

Hertha’s squad puzzle:

The 80-minute session, rounded off with an endurance run, saw even more players have to miss out than in recent weeks. Julian Schieber (Knee) and Sinan Kurt (Ankle) were joined on the sidelines by Mitchell Weiser (muscle strain). “Mitch has resustained an old inury, so that makes things very difficult. He has to trust his body, particularly when it comes to unfamiliar movements,” said Dardai. Hertha’s number 23 will undergo a check up in Munich later this week.

Niklas Stark (Foot) and Valentin Stocker were also absent from the session at Schenckendorffplatz. “Niklas has been carrying an injury for a couple of weeks now and will need a couple of weeks of team training in order to be ready once again,” said the boss. “We night see him once more this season.” Fabian Lustenberger, who has seen his training limited since the beginning of March due to a groin problem, was finally able to train with grass under his feet - albeit individually. “Lusti is not yet allowed to wear boots. He might be able to do that on Wednesday, but he must first get into a rhythm of training,” said the coach when asked of a potential quick return for the Swiss.

Alternatives in the squad

Saturday’s game will come to early for all of the aforementioned players, but the return of Vladimir Darida from suspension will at least give Dardai a couple more options than last weekend. Even Ondrej Duda, who made the bench for the trip to Mainz, could get a run out. “We do not want to risk anything. Ondrej is not in contention to start, but a few minutes at the end might suit him,” explained Dardai.

Vedad Ibisevic was forced to leave the session early after a coming together with Jordan Torunarigha. “Two strong figures have come together there, so we will have to wait and see,” said Dardai. The coach will be praying his captain makes it into Wednesday’s two sessions, which will take place at 10:00 and 15:30 CEST and be open to the public. Training on Thursday and Friday will take place behind closed doors as preparations for Matchday 30 at 15:30 in the Olympiastadion against VfL Wolfsburg are finalized.