"We want to show what we can do this season!"
"We want to show what we can do this season!"
Hertha centreback Niklas Stark spoke to the media on Tuesday (18.08.20), describing preseason training so far, this year’s shortened break and his aims for 2020/21.
The 2019/20 Bundesliga season will go down in the history books as one of the most unusual and unpredictable seasons of all time, with the break in the calendar and the subsequent games taking place behind closed doors due to the coronavirus. But for one Hertha player, the madness of last season extended far beyond the disruption of the pandemic. A series of small, sometimes bizarre injuries kept Niklas Stark down, like the time he injured himself bumping into a table. As if the injuries weren’t enough hassle for one season, there was also his seemingly endless wait for a senior Germany cap. Stark finally made his international debut in November 2019, after being called up to the national squad for the tenth time. “These experiences have taught me something. They showed me that I need to keep working hard, to make the best of things, and to be positive when looking forward to the future,” said Hertha’s number 5, who has recently begun working with a mental coach.
Raring to go again in preseason
After all of last year’s hard work, another preseason awaits. With so much lying ahead of him, the 25-year-old doesn’t want to dwell on the past. With this forward-thinking mentality, the centreback began training individually prior to the start of Hertha’s preseason on 27th July. "I have arrived here extremely focused, and I feel that my fitness level is improving every day,” said Stark, who managed to grind through what Bruno Labbadia described as an intense week of training. “From the very beginning it has been an intense and tough preseason,” said the right-footed player. Around the corner are five rest days, which are looking more appealing by the day. “It’ll be good to get some rest, both physically and mentally. We will relax a little and refocus ourselves.” The 6′ 3″ defender plans to use his free time to visit his friends.
After this rest period, the final stage of preseason will begin at the Olympiagelände, with the squad going through the finer details ahead of the start of the season. Stark doesn’t mind whether he is used in his more familiar spot in the centre of defence, or in the number 6 role in midfield. “I don’t care where I play. I just want to get out there and contribute to bringing success to this team,” said Stark, highlighting his ambition for this season. Alongside his personal goals, last season’s vice-captain has a clear idea of what the blue-and-whites must do to be successful during the 2020/21 season. “We really want to show what we can do this season. We have to stay grounded, because hard work is key – you will never get anywhere without it. But we have a great coach who reminds us of this every day. We know what is important going into the new season, and so we are keeping our feet on the ground - but there is a real buzz around the squad,” emphasised Stark, who will surely be hoping for a more normal season this time around.
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