Tayfun Korkut gives a smile in his press conference against Köln.
First team | January 7, 2022, 03:21 PM

“We need to believe in our own game”

First training session of 2022? Done. The first goal at Schenkendorffplatz this year? Tucked away long ago. Ahead of the visit from 1. FC Köln on Sunday (15:30 CET), Friday afternoon saw another first for our Blue-Whites: the first pre-match press conference of 2022. Head coach Tayfun Korkut gave the media an insight into his most recent impressions from working with the team: “The team have given me the feeling that every single one of them wants to keep going. We know there’s a lot of work awaiting us against Köln, but we also know what opportunities we have. We need to believe in ourselves and our game, and bring that to the pitch on Sunday,” emphasises the head coach, whose starting XI will have to be adaptable up to kick-off, due to various Coronavirus cases. Whilst the trio of Dedryck Boyata, Fredrik Bjørkan and Deyovaisio Zeefuik have all now tested negative, Ishak Belfodil has tested positive.

Despite one or two doubts around certain players – such as Lucas Tousart and Santiago Ascacíbar – the squad’s focus is fully on the first fixture of the year. “There isn’t much to be gained from talking about the Rückrunde as a single event. We need to look forward, taking the first step against Köln and carrying over our momentum from the last couple of games of 2021 into this year,” said Fredi Bobic. All the latest from the press conference is here at herthabsc.com.

Tayfun Korkut and Fredi Bobic on...

... the start to the new year:

Tayfun Korkut: Wins always help strengthen belief in the work you’re doing. The team have given me the feeling that every single one of them wants to keep going. We want and need to bring that to the pitch on Sunday!

Fredi Bobic: There isn’t much to be gained from talking about the Rückrunde as a single event. We need to look forward, taking the first step against Köln and carrying over our momentum from the last couple of games of 2021 into this year.

... the squad and possible formation changes:

Tayfun Korkut: I will decide on a team as late as I possibly can, due to our current situation. Times like these call for you to be flexible as a coach. Nevertheless, we have enough good players available and we obviously really want to win the game. We would like to go with two strikers and a similar formation to what we played before.

... the weekend’s opponents, Köln:

Tayfun Korkut: Their strength on the wings is of course an issue, but the more important question is: What are we going to do? We want to build on the courage, freedom and industriousness that we showed in our last couple of home games. We’re facing a team who will challenge us right up to the final whistle and not let us have any breaks. We know there’s a lot of work awaiting us against Köln, but we also know what opportunities we have. We need to believe in ourselves and our game, and bring that to the pitch on Sunday!

by Hertha BSC