Teams | July 17, 2018 at 04:49 PM

Ondrej Duda’s good feeling

Hertha’s playmaker is cutting a fine figure in pre-season

Neuruppin – the Blue-Whites are putting in the hours on their Neuruppin training ground to ready themselves for the upcoming campaign. Just like in previous fitness camps, there’s a certain love-hate attitude from the players towards their fitness coach Henrik Kuchno. Ondrej Duda is in the thick of it and together with his teammates is grafting away under the Berlin summer sunshine. “Of course, no player likes to complain. During the training sessions it’s really tough, but it’s a good feeling to come through them. We’re very thankful to Henrik Kuchno and also Hendrik Vieth for how well they get us into shape,” praised the Slovakia international.

Duda has made a good impression in the first two training camps. In the friendlies, the 23 year old managed to get himself on the scoresheet, while also showing what he’s capable of in training. His effort and form also hasn’t been missed by head coach Pál Dárdai: “If he stays healthy then we’ll finally have the Ondrej we’ve been waiting for! In the Bundesliga you need to be fit and have match practice. He’s currently making really good progress! Hopefully that remains that way.” Duda himself also feels he’s in good shape: “There’s still a bit of pre-season to go, but I feel much better than a year ago. Training is still tough, but I’m getting used to it. I’m happy about how things have gone in the friendlies and hope things continue like this.”

Optimal conditions in Neuruppin

“This year, we have a long pre-season. A training camp is good to get a bit of variety and also to be together. It’s fun and is good for the team’s chemistry,” explained the Slovakian. The team is enjoying optimal conditions at their camp, although the players don’t have much energy left after training to enjoy the hotel’s picturesque surroundings. Hertha’s number 10 rooms with Sinan Kurt at the Resort Mark Brandenburg: “We spend a lot of time together in Berlin and are also often together at the training camp. We get along really well,” said Duda with a grin.

Alongside various academy players at the training camp are also three new comers - Pascal Köpke, Lukas Klünter and Javairo Dilrosun. “They’ve made a good impression. They still have to get to know the squad and how hard we work, but they’re doing that. All three have a good characyer and we’ll support them.” There’s still five weeks until competitive football returns in the form of the DFB Pokal. Until then, Duda wants to work to the max. In the past few years, injuries have set him back, but now the playmaker wants to start on the right foot. “I feel good, of course I have to stay fit. Pre-season have given me a positive feeling for the new campaign - we want to be more consistent than last year.” Numerous sessions and more training camps await the Blue-Whites before the start of the season, but Duda already has the start of the season in his sights: “We’re looking forward to starting, that’s what we’re working towards here.”

Neuruppin – the Blue-Whites are putting in the hours on their Neuruppin training ground to ready themselves for the upcoming campaign. Just like in previous fitness camps, there’s a certain love-hate attitude from the players towards their fitness coach Henrik Kuchno. Ondrej Duda is in the thick of it and together with his teammates is grafting away under the sweltering Berlin summer sunshine. “Of course, no player likes to complain. During the training sessions it’s really tough, but it’s a good feeling to come through them. We’re very thankful to Henrik Kuchno and also Hendrik Vieth for how well they get us into shape,” praised the Slovakia international.

Duda has made a good impression in the first two training camps. In the friendlies, the 23 year old got himself onto the scoresheet, while also showing what he’s capable of in training. His effort and form also haven't been missed by head coach Pál Dárdai: “If he stays healthy then we’ll finally have the Ondrej we’ve been waiting for! In the Bundesliga you need to be fit and have match practice. He’s currently making really good progress! Hopefully things remains this way.” Duda himself also feels he’s in good shape: “There’s still a bit of pre-season to go, but I feel much better than a year ago. Training is still tough, but I’m getting used to it. I’m happy with how the friendlies have gone and hope things continue like this.”

Optimal conditions in Neuruppin

“This year, we have a long pre-season. A training camp is good to get a bit of variety and also to be together. It’s fun and it's good for the team’s chemistry,” explained the Slovakian. The team is enjoying optimal conditions at their camp, although the players don’t have much energy left after training to enjoy the hotel’s picturesque surroundings. Hertha’s number 10 rooms with Sinan Kurt at the Resort Mark Brandenburg: “We spend a lot of time together in Berlin and are also often together at the training camp. We get along really well,” said Duda with a grin.

Alongside various academy players at the training camp are also three new-comers - Pascal Köpke, Lukas Klünter and Javairo Dilrosun. “They’ve made a good impression. They still have to get to know the squad and how hard we work, but they’re doing that. All three have good character and we’ll support them.” There’s still five weeks until competitive football returns in the form of the DFB Pokal, when Hertha will kick off against Eintracht Braunschweig. Until then, Duda wants to work to the max. In the past few years, injuries have set him back, but now the playmaker wants to start on the right foot. “I feel good, of course I have to stay fit. Pre-season has given me a positive feeling for the new campaign - we want to be more consistent than last year.” Numerous sessions and more training camps await the Blue-Whites before the start of the season, but Duda already has the start of the season in his sights: “We’re looking forward to starting, that’s what we’re working towards here.”

by Hertha BSC