Mini injury crisis

Pál Dárdai discussed the current injuries and the upcoming friendly against FC Erzgebirge Aue, after completing a training session at Schenckendorffplatz.

Pál Dárdai spoke to the media on Wednesday (14/11/18) having completed a 90 minute training session. Alongside the absent internationals, Lukas Klünter, Niklas Stark, Jordan Torunarigha, Florian Baak, Arne Maier and Julius Kade were unavailable to due to injury. Meanwhile, Thomas Kraft, Marvin Plattenhardt and Palko Dárdai all missed out due to illness and Marius Gersbeck only completed light training. Panzu Ernesto, Florian Krebs and trialist Nick Lima all trained with the first team as replacements. “We are going through a period of injuries and illness and so the international break is good for us,” explained Dárdai, who is in good news, expecting back some players. “Palko and Arne Maier could return to training on Friday.”

It was not only the players who were absent. Goalkeeping coach Zsolet Petry was taking a goalkeeping course and was replaced for the day by Nello di Martino and U23s goalkeeping coach Max Steinborn. The two coaches worked with five goalkeepers; Dennis Smarsch, Maxim Hertel and Niclas Wild from the U23s, as well as Raphael Bartell and Kilian Schubert from the U17s.

On the 15th November, the Berliners will take on FC Erzgebirge Aue (14:30 CET) and Dárdai has already thought about the upcoming game. “We will use the players who have trained with us this week. It will be good for Davie Selke if he can get another 90 minutes under his belt and the same applies to Marko Grujic who will be looking at 60 to 70 minute of action. Pascal Köpke will also play.” After the friendly, the players will return to normal training on Friday.