The team player
The team player
Schladming – it’s said that team spirit is the key to success. Hertha have proven the truth in this theory impressively over the last two seasons. Being united, prepared to place the team’s success over personal interests and to iron out teammates’ mistakes were the foundations of the Blue-White’s strong performances. “We simply don’t have the means to sign a top player every year like other clubs. At Hertha, we have to walk onto the pitch as one, grow together and develop ourselves as a team”, says Pál Dárdai.
Someone who follows these principles is Sebastian Langkamp. “We’re not in such a great financial situation relative to the other clubs, even if we do have a powerful squad. It’s more important to have other strong qualities here, one of which is camaraderie”, says Langkamp. The centre back, who is going into his fifth season at the capital club has strong perceptions of how a team should be structured. “Good team spirit, on and off the pitch, means to have good solidarity, to support one another and to stand together, even in challenging times – anything to help the team.”
Always working on the team’s spirit
What may initially sound obvious is certainly not. When ambitious sportsmen with different characters clash, there can be different views, rivalries and friction between them from time to time, which come in peaks and troughs throughout the season. “When we’re doing well, the mood is obviously better”, says Langkamp with a grin. But that does not mean that the true character of a team only shows in failure. Clearly, team spirit is not simply there, one must maintain and care for it, almost like a flower. For example, when new signings have to integrate before a season gets underway and when there are setbacks or a new dynamic develops during the season. “Everyone has the responsibility to do something for the team, but you shouldn’t just act like you are. Everyone’s different, some guys are quite loud and some guys are a bit quiet. It depends on having the right mix and that everyone’s in the same boat”, Langkamp thinks.
When you watch the 29-year-old in the Schladming camp, you realise that he controls this mix. Here a casual comment, there a little joke, but he’s not afraid to voice his opinion clearly when it matters, which he puts down to his experience. “There are players who’ve been at the club longer and have simply been through everything. They know some scenarios better and can get a feel for them more quickly, which benefits the team”, says the defender, who, as the organiser of the back line, sees it as his responsibility to talk a lot. “From the back, I have a good view of things. I open my mouth up when something about our formation grabs my attention.”
Special season for Langkamp and the club
The coaching staff around Pál Dárdai feel blessed to have a player with these traits in the team. “I think it’s very important to act as a role model, not only on the pitch, but off it too and also to hold an opinion. My relationship with the coach reaffirms that”, says the 29-year-old, who, at his age, is not far off passing for an old hand.
However, there is still unchartered territory for Langkamp in the 2017/18 season; he has still not played in the Europa League so far in his career. “I want to play against a really strong opposition like Arsenal”, says Hertha’s number 15. Either way, his anticipation is clear to see. “I’ve now been a part of the club for a few years. You feel like you can help write a good story into the history books. We have to use the power of the city of Berlin to reach such heights”, says Langkamp. Should they actually face the English top-flight club, it is clear which weapon Hertha would like to use to cause the Gunners trouble: camaraderie.