Taking momentum into the double-matchday!

Hertha BSC will play FC Schalke 04 twice in the space of a few days in both the league and the cup. Per Skjelbred and co. are really looking forward to both games, but for now are just concentrating on the game on Friday (31/01/20).

It’s a curious situation. Hertha BSC and FC Schalke 04 will play each other twice in the space of just five days – and both are competitive games, not friendlies. On Friday night, the capital club will welcome their opponents to the Olympiastadion for Matchday 20 of the Bundesliga, before the teams face off once more in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal. “I can’t remember a situation like this ever happening before, certainly not in my time here. It’s clear thought that these will be two completely different games,” said Per Skjelbred when speaking about the upcoming week for the Herthaner.

Although the competitions and focus may vary over the next week or so, the Herthaner will definitely want to carry the good performance and positive team spirit from the win over VfL Wolfsburg into the coming games against Schalke. “The three points against Wolfsburg were so important to us. At the start of the season it felt like we were always waiting ages for a win, but now that’s not the case,” said Skjelbred, although he also knows that FC Schalke under David Wagner pose a more significant threat in terms of form. “Schalke are a quality side, but we have to take the game to them, we can’t hide in this one. We train with a view to beating every side we face and if we can beat this one twice in five days, then that’s even better,” said the Norwegian.

“An extremely good game”

Skjelbred, who was brought into the side this weekend after Vladimir Darida dropped out of the squad due to illness, hopes he can get even more playing time in the future. Darida also didn’t take part in training on Tuesday again due to illness. “We’re completely focused on the league and staying up, the DFB-Pokal comes second to that. It will be an extremely good game on Friday,” said the midfielder. Dedryck Boyata has now completed his suspension and Karim Rekik was back in training on Tuesday as well, which means Jürgen Klinsmann will have to make a tough choice when picking his side. The Dutchman was also joined on the training pitch by U19 player Lazar Samardzic, who took part in first team training after Daishawn Redan dropped out also due to illness.

Tuesday afternoon’s session in the weight room will certainly come to early for Darida and Redan, but whether either of them will join up with the squad for training on Wednesday is still up in the air.