Plattenhart ahead of DFB debut

Berlin- Marvin Plattenhardt’s big adventure with the national team began after a trip home to Frickenhausen on Monday morning. He started the week by meeting Germany manager Joachim Löw in Düsseldorf, from where Die Mannschaft took off to fly to Copenhagen. Germany prepare for the Confederations Cup in Russia (17th June – 2nd July) by playing a friendly against Denmark in the capital, Copenhagen. Hertha fans won’t have any good memories of the Brøndby stadium, where the match is taking place, but Plattenhardt can’t let last year’s game distract him from the task at hand. It’s his first time travelling with the national team, and his debut beckons. He’s still elated at the opportunity even three weeks after receiving his call up, saying, “I can’t wait to be there and I’ll enjoy every moment.”

The 25-year-old is one of the six newcomers to Die Mannschaft who have their first – and only, prior to the game – training session with their new colleagues behind them. Whilst the Danes are using the friendly to gear up for their upcoming World Cup qualifier, Germany have their sights set on the Confederations Cup in Russia. “The match against Denmark is of course a reboot of sorts for the players,” remarked Germany manager Löw, who will use the next few days as a chance for the boys to prove themselves. “There’s a chance for players to emerge and fill the positions that we’re lacking. I want to try a lot of things so that it’s possible for perhaps three or four of the new players to start the game so I can see how they do.” Plattenhardt’s next game after the one in Copenhagen will come in the World Cup qualifier against San Marino on Saturday (10/06/17), and then in the first group stage games in the Confederations Cup against Australia (19/06), Chile (22/06), and Cameroon (25/06).

Other Hertha players on duty

Genki Haraguchi is playing a friendly against Syria on Wednesday (07/06/17 12:25 CEST) with Japan, and then again on June 13th in a World Cup qualifier against Iraq. Vladimir Darida kicked off the international break for Hertha players by playing with his Czech Republic squad against Belgium in Brussels, losing 2-1. Darida led Karel Jarolim’s team on the field and played the whole 90 minutes. “I think that we’ll profit from testing ourselves against a team of their quality,” said manager Jarolim, in spite of the loss. The Czech Republic face Rune Jarstein’s Norway in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday (10/06/17). Peter Pekarik and Ondrej Duda will be in action with Slovakia and Veddad Ibisevic with Bosnia and Herzegovina over the next few days, as will Mitchell Weiser, Niklas Stark, and new signing Davie Selke.