Actions speak louder than words

Dedryck Boyata on his role in the team, the reasons for the team’s improvement under Bruno Labbadia and his progress in learning German.

Berlin – What Dedryck Boyata has experienced in his first year in the capital is normally enough for multiple seasons. Four different coaches and philosophies, the break in play due to the Coronavirus, as well as a mixed bag of results out on the pitch. “It has been a difficult and crazy season,” said the Belgian, who has been a key figure in the side since his summer move to the Old Lady. Since making his debut against Mainz on Bundesliga Matchday 4, ‘Dedo’ has missed just two matches: one due to suspension and the other due to injury. The centre back has completed the full 90 minutes in 24 out of his 25 appearances so far this season, contributing four goals and one assist in addition to his top defensive work.

Labbadia brings back memories of Man City

The number 20 feels confident with new head coach Bruno Labbadia at the helm, particularly due to the meticulous nature of Darmstadt native. “Bruno is a very good coach with clear ideas and does a lot of good for us, particularly the young players, who can learn a lot from him. His approach reminds me of Roberto Mancini during my time at Manchester City, we also did a lot of tactical work there,” Boyata explains. “He made it clear from day one what he expects from us and we quickly managed to portray this out on the pitch. He demands a lot from us both tactically and physically and he pays a lot of attention to small details in the game; that’s very important!” His focused training sessions and eye for detail has given the team a new lease of life since the restart of the Bundesliga season. “As a team we’re going into matches much better prepared, we’re having more possession and setting up more offensively. As a defender it’s of course better for me that we’re attacking more, it makes my job easier!” Boyata joked. “Through the work we’ve done both tactically and physically, and on the overall cohesion of the team, we’ve developed a new level of confidence!”

Praise for his teammates: “Look at ‘Peka’!”

This confidence is embodied through Boyata’s successful partnership with Jordan Torunarigha. “Jordan is a class defender, he’s playing really well and is full of confidence,” the defender heaps praise on his partner, before complimenting the rest of his teammates as well. “Our good defensive work isn’t down to just us two. Look at ‘Peka’ (Peter Pekarik) – he’s had to wait a long time for his chance. Then to come back and play like he has, it’s fantastic! ‘Platte’, Maxi, Karim, Niklas, Lukas…we’re all important, everyone has played their part in getting us back on track!” However, Boyata doesn’t pay too much attention to his label as the ‘head of the defence’. “As a player you gain respect for your performances on the pitch, not for nicknames. I like to prove myself and of course I always want to play but gaining the respect of my teammates is incredibly important to me. Everything I do on the pitch should help to bring us forward as a team!” In aid of this, the 1.88m tall defender is also working hard off the pitch to improve his German. “It’s not the easiest language but I’m sticking with it, I’m trying to immerse myself in it and to practice. I also try to only speak to the coach in German as much as possible,” explains the 29-year-old. “That’s important!”

The team now look ahead to what will be an important end to the season. Despite the recent defeat in Dortmund, Hertha BSC now have four games left to secure their position in the top half of the table. “After the restart we wanted to distance ourselves from the relegation zone as quickly as possible; we’ve managed to do that,” said the Belgium international. “Now we’re taking it game by game and try to take it one step at a time.” Boyata’s assessment of the final few games of the season is clear: actions speak louder than words. “I don’t think it’s smart to put ourselves under pressure,” the Herthaner said in response to potential European qualification. “We need to just continue as we have done in the past few weeks and we want to end the season as best we can!”