Hertha Berlin

There is always increased tension when two Bundesliga teams meet that are next to each other in the table, even more so when it is at the foot of the table. The ‘Old Lady’ take on FC Schalke 04 for three crucial points under the light at the Gelsenkirchener Arena on Friday night (20:30 CEST). Three points that are important, but not decisive on their own, as Sandro Schwarz suggested in the press conference ahead of the game. “We know the situation in the table and where we’re starting from, but we have to focus on the way we play with seven games still ahead of us. Still, it is a very important game and an enormous chance. We need stability on the pitch, have to put up a fight and channel our emotions properly, said the head coach. Benjamin Weber also emphasised the important of these things. “I’m expecting a certain aggression from both sides. In such a heated atmosphere, it will be even more important to focus on ourselves and stay concentrated,” said Hertha’s sporting director. herthabsc.com has summarised what Schwarz and sporting director Benjamin Weber had to say on…

Sandro Schwarz made two changes from the game against Leipzig. The team remained in a 5-3-2 formation, with Marco Richter replacing Jonjoe Kenny at right wing-back and Stevan Jovetić starting upfront for the first time since the end of October. Wilfried Kanga, who scored the winner in the reverse fixture, dropped to the bench. For the hosts, Marcin Kamiński started for the first time since the first day of the season, replacing Maya Yoshida at centre-back, while Simon Terodde came in upfront.

Hertha travel back from Gelsenkirchen without any points and deeply disappointed. The 5-2 defeat against Schalke 04 wasn’t helped by conceding too early goals, as well as conceding again almost immediately after half time.“It’s inexplicable to concede five goals against Schalke. It’sa bitter blow, we didn’t expect this,” said Marvin Plattenhardt, frustrated at the team’s performance. “We didn’t play well defensively over large periods of the game, didn’t compete in challenges and lost the ball too much in build-up play.” herthabsc.com has all the immediate reaction to the loss in Gelsenkirchen.

Following several internal discussions, Hertha BSC have decided to part ways with head coach Sandro Schwarz with immediate effect. Volkan Bulut and Daniel Fischer will also no longer be part of the coaching staff. “Sandro and his coaching staff invested a lot of work, energy and passion each day into developing this team. We would like to thank him for that and wish him all the best for the future. Following the very disappointing defeat in Gelsenkirchen, we have taken the time over the last days to analyse and assess our situation and arrived at the conclusion that we needed to make a change in order to pursue our goal of staying up with the few games that remain,” explained sporting director Benjamin Weber. Schwarz said, “I enjoyed being head coach of Hertha BSC and, like everyone else connected to this club, would have liked to have seen our work rewarded with more points. Looking at the table, I can understand why the club have decided to pursue a new path.”

Dear Herthaners,

Pál Dárdai’s first press conference as head coach this time around didn’t only contain a bit of déjà vu for the man himself, but also for many of the journalists who had previously had the opportunity to hear the Hungarian at the podium and to ask him questions. But this time the starting position for the 47-year-old is obviously completely different from his last spell at the club. “It is a difficult situation and I am not here to promise anything, but it is now my responsibility to keep the team in the league once again. This time we will need not only hard work, but also a lot of strength and positive energy,” explained Dárdai, who wants to get the ball moving in the right direction again along with the boys. “I don’t like the word ‘hope’, but we will need a bit of luck. Other teams have already had that, but above all we now have to work on ourselves and force this luck to change. In a relegation battle it’s about results, results, results!”

Pál Dárdai played 373 times in all competitions for Hertha and has since taken charge of 203 competitive matches as head coach for the club. We have no exact number for his training sessions at Schenckendorffplatz, but it’s surely well over 1,000. He added to this tally on Monday after returning as head coach for the third time. “The important things, like the pitches here, have always been good,” said the 47-year-old at his press conference prior to training. “A few things have changed though. For example, the changing room is a bit nicer now.” Dárdai stepped out onto the training pitch at 15:32, starting his first session back in charge by talking to the players. That was followed by a warm-up, with the players clapping in time with one another whilst running. His focus after the heavy defeat in Gelsenkirchen was on team cohesion and enjoyment. Prince Boateng and his teammates then looked to “clear their heads” during a game of football tennis.

Three days after his official unveiling and first training session with the team, Pál Dárdai spoke to the media again on Thursday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s (15:30 CEST) home game against SV Werder Bremen. The head coach discussed his first impressions of the side and his thoughts on the weekend’s clash. “It’s too early to talk about our system. The most important thing is that the players have confidence in each other and play with courage. The fans want a team that fights together for the shirt – and one that doesn’t get relegated,” said Dárdai, who also spoke about the importance of the fans’ support, togetherness and Saturday’s opponents. herthabsc.com have summarised what the head coach had to say. Pál Dárdai on…

Florian Niederlechner has joined Hertha BSC with immediate effect. The striker, who had already agreed to move in the summer, has now moved to the capital ahead of the second half of this season. He has signed a contract valid until 2025and will wear the number 7 shirt. “We’re really pleased that we could bring him to the club now instead of during the summer. We’re excited to see him play for us during the remaining Bundesliga games this season,” explained Fredi Bobic.

Florian Niederlechner was clearly impressed with what he saw during a 10-minute virtual tour, which gave an insight into the club’s 130-year history, including all the highs and lows. “I got goosebumps when we entered the tunnel. I now know what it really means to play for Hertha BSC,” said our winter signing. “I can’t wait to get going here. I’m really excited!” Our new number 7 is clearly raring to go, even if there may be some communication problems. “I’m going to have to get used to the language around here. There are quite a lot of differences between the Bavarian and Berlin dialects,” joked the 32-year-old, who talked about his reasons for joining, his somewhat unusual career path and contact with Maik Franz.