Hertha Berlin

When your favourite teams are located nearly 10,000 kilometres away from each other, then opportunities for them to play each other are few and far between. For Oscar Perdomo, a fan from Bogotá, Colombia, a dream will come true this week when the Blue-Whites take on his hometown club FC Millonarios (11/01/23, kick-off: 19:00 local time, 01:00 CET, tickets here). The 27-year-old can’t wait, saying “I’m really looking forward to the game and hope that it will be a great day for fans of the blue and white,” he said in an interview with herthabsc.de (Millonarios’ club colours are also blue and white). Perdomo is not sure yet who he will be supporting when the two face off this week. “Most likely, I’ll have conflicting feelings, but that’s how it should be,” he said with a grin. Perdomo was unable to make the trip to Florida to watch the game live, but will be following the match via the livestream, which will be available in 13 countries.

The first match of a two-game day saw head coach Sandro Schwarz use a 4-2-3-1 formation on the pitch against SIMA Montverde Academy. Tjark Ernst started the match in goal; ahead of the 19-year-old ‘keeper was captain Peter Pekarík, Pascal Klemens, Márton Dárdai and Julian Eitschberger in a back four. Ivan Šunjić and Suat Serdar were in midfield, with Dodi Lukébakio, Stevan Jovetić and Myziane Maolida in behind lone striker Jessic Ngankam.

Sandro Schwarz opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation for the last friendly before next weekend’s Bundesliga restart in Bochum (21/01/23, 15:30 CET). Oliver Christensen began in goal. Ahead of the Dane was a back-four of Jonjoe Kenny, Augstín Rogel, Marc Kempf and Maximilian Mittelstädt. Lucas Tousart and Jean-Paul Boëtius were in holding midfield, with Marco Richter, captain Prince Boateng and Derry Scherhant the trio supporting lone striker Wilfried Kanga.

Alongside the perfect conditions on the Golf Coast, there are further positives of a training camp in Florida – especially for those interested in sports. The time differences means that it is very easy to watch live sports in the evening once the hard work is done, with NFL and NBA game as well as College sports almost around the clock. Marc Kempf belongs among the Hertha players that keep an eye on ice hockey and with it the NHL. I like the dynamism, the coordination – but also the toughness,” said the central defender, who seemed to be enjoying himself during the trip to see the Tampa Bay Lightning. Our number 20 spoke in an interview with herthabsc.com about Bundesliga statistics, lessons from the last few months and the work done during Hertha’s training camp in America.

The Hertha team have run, jumped, lifted weights and completed all the stretches in the world, but the most important thing is that they have trained, trained and trained again on the pitch at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Over the last 11 days, the team has played four friendlies, enjoyed the American sunshine, and talked tactics in the video analysis room. Of course, the question of what starting the year across the Atlantic has brought the team could be asked – who better to answer that question than head coach, Sandro Schwarz: “We spent a lot of time considering what we would focus on. The main thing we decided to focus on was the physical aspect of our game, which I have been impressed by here,” explained the 44-year-old in a press conference after departing the training pitch for the final time. “Overall, we worked really hard on everything that we set out to do,” the head coach said, also discussing the long winter break, the fight for places in the time, and the Bundesliga restart away to Bochum on Saturday January 21st (15:30 CET).

Deyovaisio Zeefuik had already departed camp in Brandenton and said goodbye to his teammates, and now the transfer is finally completed. The right-back has moved on loan to Serie A team Hellas Verona FC in Italy with immediate effect. “Devo approached us with the request for a move in order to get more match practice. With this loan, which includes an option-to-buy, we have found a sensible structure for all parties involved,” explained Hertha’s managing director for sport and communication Fredi Bobic about the transfer on Monday. 

According to Cliff Arnall, the third Monday in January is always the saddest day of the year. The British psychologist came to this conclusion based on factors such as weather, motivation level and failed New Year’s resolutions. Our Hertha players, however, were obviously not affected by the so-called Blue Monday, as they seemed in the best of moods on their return to Schenckendorffplatz on Tuesday. A joke here, a boisterous laugh there. No wonder: For one, Oliver Christensen and Co. had soaked up plenty of sun during their hard work at their training camp in Florida, which ended last week. Another reason being that there is a great level of anticipation among the squad to take a first step towards their goals for 2023 in the upcoming Bundesliga return fixture in Bochum (21.01.23, 15:30 CET). “We are delighted to be back here and will now continue to prepare intensely for the Bochum game,” explained Sandro Schwarz after the first training session on home turf in almost six weeks.

Santiago Ascacíbar has returned to Argentina. The midfielder has played on loan at US Cremonese since the summer of 2022, making 13 appearances in Serie A. Both clubs have agreed to terminate this loan ahead of time. The 25-year-old will now lace up his boots once again in his home city of La Plata in the Primera División with Estudiantes. The Argentine top division side also have an option-to-buy. “In our regular conversations that we carry out with all our loan players we could see how unhappy Santi was with his current situation. So we are really pleased for him that there is now the opportunity for him to return home to his family. That environment will do him good. We wish Santi all the best,” said Fredi Bobic.

As a rule, games against former employers are something special for all those involved, especially if it is for the first time. Sandro Schwarz is no exception here. Hertha’s head coach, who has been in charge of the club since the summer, will meet 1. FSV Mainz 05 for the first time as Hertha head coach this Friday evening (16.09.22, 20:30 CEST). Mainz is not only a club he played for, but also where, from 2013 to 2019, the 43-year-old worked his way up from the U19 team, to the second team, before managing the first team side. “I have a lot to thank the club for; it was a very intense time – both as a player and as a coach,” the coach makes no secret of his relationship to the Zerofivers. As well as the head coach, both Jean-Paul Boëtius and Suat Serdar come up against their former sides. Despite these many connections, the Blue-Whites are not going to Mainz just to catch up with old friends. “Mainz compete hard and are a very physical side – it shows that they are a very good Bundesliga side and are difficult to work out how to play against. It will be a very interesting game,” emphasised Fredi Bobic. herthabsc.com has summarised the key points. Schwarz and Bobic spoke about…

In May 2009, Germany won the U17 European Championship. Just over 13 years later, only two members of that triumphant squad remain under contract in the Bundesliga: World Cup winner Mario Götze, currently at Eintracht Frankfurt, and Hertha’s captain, Marvin Plattenhardt. Despite only being named captain in July, ‘Platte’ has had the development of his squad and teammates on his mind from day one. “There’s been a real swing of momentum which you can feel, and everybody has been taken by it. The support we’ve been getting from outside is palpable, and the fans are right behind us – that’s a great feeling for us all to have,” explained the 30-year-old. The seven-time Germany international also feels the trust placed in him when he wears the captain’s armband: “It’s a huge honour for me to lead the team out onto the pitch every week. I’ve always said that I see myself in the role of captain, but now it’s all about growing into it bit by bit over time,” said Hertha’s number 21. Plattenhardt sat down with herthabsc.com to chat about his magical left foot, the upcoming trip to Mainz and an eventful summer.