The countdown is on

On Wednesday, Hertha BSC begun their final preparations for their Bundesliga opener against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday 19th August at 15:30 CEST.

After just one day off, the Blue-Whites begun preparation for their Bundesliga opener against VfB Stuttgart. Training and preparation is only going to become more intense once the season starts as Hertha also have six Europa League fixtures before the winter break. The Blue-Whites will often be playing in Europe on Thursdays, and in the Bundesliga on Sundays. It’s going to be a busy few months for the Hertha players. “It’s going to be a long year with lots of challenges and trips across Europe. We have to be well prepared,” explained Pál Dárdai.

This week is an example of what the Hertha players are going to have to get used to this season. The players who started against Hansa Rostock on Monday had to complete a recovery training session on Tuesday instead of having a day off. On Wednesday, the entire Hertha squad took to the training pitches to prepare for the first Bundesliga match of the season. “We are working on a solid plan,” said Pál Dárdai ahead of Saturday’s match against VfB Stuttgart (15:30 CEST).

Injured players Julian Schieber, Johnathan Klinsmann, Valentino Lazaro, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Davie Selke did not take part in Wednesday’s training session. “Maxi should return to team training any day now,” said head coach Pál Dárdai. “Davie still needs a little bit more time. He’s been training individually a lot with Henrik Kuchno. Valentino is looking a lot better now. He’s completed sections of training but hasn’t joined with the rest of the team yet,” continued Dárdai. Youth players Arne Maier, Palko Dárdai, Julius Kade and Florian Baak did not train as they played for the under-19 side on Wednesday evening.

A confident newly-promoted side

Dárdai and the team have already discussed facing VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. “VfB Stuttgart are a good, young and fast team. They won a lot of matches last year and will be very confident going into this season,” said Dárdai on the opponent, who achieved promotion to the Bundesliga just one year after going down. “We are a strong home side and will also be confident ahead of the match.” Hertha BSC will complete two more training sessions on Thursday and Friday this week, however these will not be open to the public.

Short training week

This week is an example of what the Hertha players are going to have to get used to this season. The players who started against Hansa Rostock on Monday had to complete a recovery training session on Tuesday instead of having a day off. On Wednesday, the entire Hertha squad took to the training pitches to prepare for the first Bundesliga match of the season. “We are working on a solid plan,” said Pál Dárdai ahead of Saturday’s match against VfB Stuttgart (15:30 CEST).

Injured players Julian Schieber, Johnathan Klinsmann, Valentino Lazaro, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Davie Selke did not take part in Wednesday’s training session. “Maxi should return to team training any day now,” said head coach Pál Dárdai. “Davie still needs a little bit more time. He’s been training individually a lot with Henrik Kuchno. Valentino is looking a lot better now. He’s completed sections of training but hasn’t joined with the rest of the team yet,” continued Dárdai. Youth players Arne Maier, Palko Dárdai, Julius Kade and Florian Baak did not train as they played for the under-19 side on Wednesday evening.

A confident newly-promoted side

Dárdai and the team have already discussed facing VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. “VfB Stuttgart are a good, young and fast team. They won a lot of matches last year and will be very confident going into this season,” said Dárdai on the opponent, who achieved promotion to the Bundesliga just one year after going down. “We are a strong home side and will also be confident ahead of the match.” Hertha BSC will complete two more training sessions on Thursday and Friday this week, however these will not be open to the public.