All hands on deck ahead of the Bundesliga opener
After a successful first-round tie in the DFB-Pokal, Hertha are now hoping to make a winning start to the new Bundesliga season as well. Just like last week, which was nicely rounded off with a cup win over Meppen, Pál Dárdai and his coaching staff began preparations for the weekend on Wednesday afternoon with a training session at Schenckendorffplatz. This time though, it’s 1. FC Köln that the Blue-Whites will be travelling to on Sunday (15th August, 17:30 CEST kick-off). “We’ve had a good pre-season with lots of valuable friendlies. We’re absolutely determined to have a better season than the last one. The best part is that we will have the fans back in the stadium, and that makes us even more fired up to return to action,” said Márton Dárdai ahead of the opening matchday of the 59th Bundesliga season.
The countdown is well and truly on for this weekend now that preparations to take on the Billy Goats have begun, with Hertha putting in a 90-minute training session this afternoon. After a thorough warm-up led by Henrik Kuchno, the coaches worked on possession in tight spaces by splitting the boys into three teams for a tournament.
Richter and Cunha on board – Jarstein, Boyata and Piątek work individually
The first session of the week saw Pál Dárdai not only welcome new signing Marco Richter, but gold-medal winner Matheus Cunha was also back in the capital and involved in team training after returning from the Olympics in Tokyo. “I’m delighted that Matheus is back with us so soon. It shows his desire. Matheus loves being here at Hertha. He’s giving off incredibly positive vibes too after winning the Olympic tournament – he is a winner. Matheus is fit and will be an option for the weekend,” said the head coach. The Hungarian is also pleased to have his latest addition from Augsburg on board: “Marco is a great lad. He’s made a very positive impression and I’m glad to have him with us. He will make the journey to Cologne on Sunday. Marco is a talented footballer and wants to take the next step – that’s why he’s come to Hertha BSC.”
There was more positive personnel news too, as Dedryck Boyata was joined out the pitch for some individual training by Rune Jarstein and Krzysztof Piątek following their lengthy absences. The pair worked with strength-and-conditioning coach Henrik Vieth as they look to make their comebacks from a Covid-19 infection and an ankle injury respectively. “Kris is completing some tests with Henrik for now, and then he will rejoin team training. He is fit, he isn’t experiencing any pains and he wants to come on as a sub in the Bayern game – those are his words,” explained Dárdai.
With the new and returning faces to the Schenckendorffplatz pitches, there were a total of 30 players on board as focus switches Sunday’s journey to the Rhine. The lads will put in plenty more training sessions before then as they aim to nail down the necessary tactical and technical elements that the coach demands. If the Blue-Whites win their Bundesliga opener, it will be a case of another week of planning done right by Dárdai & Co.