First team | May 9, 2017 at 10:58 PM

Plattenhardt back in team training

Marvin Plattenhardt re-joined team training on Tuesday and three youngsters were also involved at Schenckendorffplatz. Vedad Ibisevic had to train individually.

Berlin – Genki Haraguchi celebrated his 26th birthday on Tuesday (09/05/17). No doubt his teammates were in good voice before they got down to work in preparation for Saturday’s match in Darmstadt. Captain Vedad Ibisevic didn’t train with the team: “He had muscle problems and wanted to train. I said to him that at this stage in the season the odd training session isn’t of huge importance, as long as he’s fit to play on Saturday.” These were the words of head coach Pál Dárdai who wants to get his captain ready for Matchday 33.

Marvin Plattenhardt was involved with the team, however. The left-back, who has missed the last two weeks with a muscle strain, was welcomed back. “He is very hard-working and wants to play again as soon as possible. I’m pleased to have him back, but we don’t want to rush him back after his muscle injury,” said Dárdai. Sinan Kurt also returned to team training. Niklas Stark trained alone and said that “It’ll be a close run thing” when asked if he’d be fit for Saturday.

There was a selection of younger players who trained with the first-team on Tuesday. Due to the fact that John Anthony Brooks and Sebastian Langkamp both picked up bookings in the 4-1 defeat to Leipzig and the injury to Per Skjelbred, some of the younger players may well be called upon again this Saturday - particularly those who can play in the centre-back position. Florian Baak, Sidney Friede and Nico Beyer are three options available to the head coach for this position on Saturday. One of those will probably play alongside Jordan Torunarigha who started the last match. “We’ll experiment for the whole week with the centre of defence. We mix up the combinations and focus on different things. I’ll know on Friday who is going to play,” explained the head coach.

by Hertha BSC