The Blue-Whites are back!

After nearly four weeks off, the Hertha dressing room was a hive of activity once again. Monday saw the first performance tests for the Blue-Whites in the Olympic park, as preparation for the new season got underway. Separated into four groups, the team completed various endurance and physical tests, such as jumping, movement analysis and shuttle runs. The team were then put through their paces in a cardiology test. “The lads have done all these tests before, but we got a good initial look at the physical state of our players. Over the two days, we’ll have a much more multifaceted look at the guys, so we know what individual adjustments we’ll have to make and more,” explained fitness coach Henrik Kuchno, who oversaw activities today alongside Markus Hödl and Hendrik Vieth.

New signings, returnees and youth stars all present

Tjark Ernst, Filip Uremović and Jonjoe Kenny were all present and correct on Monday morning, all three summer signings so far fully involved in preparations. Jordan Torunarigha, Deyovaisio Zeefuik, Javairô Dilrosun, Jessic Ngankam and Dodi Lukébakio also returned to the capital following their various loan deals and got to work in Hertha’s training attire once more. Alongside these faces, new and familiar, there were several players from the youth academy making the step into the first team:  Julian Eitschberger, Lukas Ullrich, Mesut Kesik, Luca Wollschläger, Marten Winkler and Derry Scherhant were all involved, Scherhant recently signing his first professional contract with Hertha BSC.

An inside look at performance test day 2022/23:

International Herthaner return on July 4th – first public session to take place on Wednesday

The players who represented their home countries in the June international break, Fredrik Bjørkan, Márton Dárdai, Dedryck Boyata, Omar Alderete, Peter Pekarík, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Daishawn Redan, Krzysztof Piątek and Stevan Jovetić, will take to training for the first time on July 4th. Following discussions, Santiago Ascacíbar has taken an extended holiday in his home of Argentina for personal reasons, and will return to Berlin on Saturday June 25th. Eduard Löwen is currently in discussions to join a new club, and was not present at the Olympic park. Following further tests for the remaining players on Tuesday, Wednesday June 22nd will see the first public training session at Schenkendorffplatz at around 15:00 CEST – time to get back into the swing of things!

Our pre-season schedule: