“We’re working to a plan which can bring us a win”
Another long, hard week of work will come to a close on Sunday, as Hertha face Bayer 04 Leverkusen at 15:30 CET. “We packed a lot of content into training, a lot of it around how we need to be working without the ball. We know what Bayer can do, but we also know what we can do. We’re working to a match plan, which will make it possible for us to win the game,” said Pál Dárdai in his press conference ahead of the match, sitting alongside director of sport Fredi Bobic. herthabsc.com have collected all the latest from the two bosses.
Pál Dárdai and Fredi Bobic on...
... the week’s training:
Pál Dárdai: I don’t think it’s a surprise to say the lads want to win. After Hoffenheim we gave them a short break, and you could feel that there was a bit more about them from the moment they came back to training. The team had fun working and the week has gone to plan up to this point. I have a good feeling about it – we need to show some will to win on Sunday! It’s an important game which we can do great things in and get some good things going for the upcoming games, if we work at our maximum of course.
... the opposition:
Pál Dárdai: We know that Leverkusen have a lot of quick players, and they played well in the Europa League. If we give them space, it might get tricky, so we packed a lot of content into training, a lot of it around how we need to be working without the ball. We know what Bayer can do, but we also know what we can do. We’re working to a match plan, which will make it possible for us to win the game.
Fredi Bobic: I’ve seen that Leverkusen enjoy playing football, and that they have a lot of great players in their ranks. That said, they do go into bad runs of form now and again, and that’s been the case in more than just this season – it would be good to play them in one of those moments! Pál is right when he says our match plan and our football has to win out. I know that Bayer are beatable. I have seen my teams suffer painful defeats against this team, but also some exciting wins that weren’t really on the cards beforehand.
... competition for places in midfield:
Pál Dárdai: Santi Ascacíbar has been playing some great games recently and is always reliable. He has that aggression you need in the middle of the park. Lucas Tousart is also a good player, a real lion, who always puts solid performances in when he comes in, and he will get his chance to play again soon. Currently Santi is a little bit ahead of Lucas – he’s taken full advantage of the chance he’s got and that’s how it has to be when you’re fighting for places. Last time out we played Suat Serdar in the 6 position, and he played the way we wanted him to. In more advanced roles, it would be great for him to help out with more shots. There are lots of little decisions which we still need to make in the process of setting up our midfield on Sunday. What’s important is that it works well and that it wins three points for Hertha.
... the reopening of the Ostkurve and raising attendance capacity:
Fredi Bobic: The Ultras we’re speaking to have made their position very clear: either everyone comes or nobody comes. We’re exchanging discussions well with a reasonable tone, and we’ve tried to be accommodating on some things, as we want to make things clear and build bridges. However, there are some limits on what we can do, as we have to follow the rules as a club. Unfortunately the situation is that our Ultras will, right now, not be returning to the stadium. It’s a big shame, as we want them there, but they have made their position clear and we need to accept that.
... the Olympiastadion pitch:
Fredi Bobic: We haven’t been to see the stadium yet, but we’ve seen it on TV and have heard how the pitch looks. I think it is still playable, but maybe looks a bit more like the pitches Pál and I played on back in the day (smiles)! The pitch will be replaced after the game against Leverkusen.