Performance testing & improvisation

Everything seemed ready to go, but at 16:00 CEST on the dot at Schenckendorffplatz torrential rain started to pour down. A classic summer storm prevented the planned start of the Blue-White’s pre-season out on the pitch. Anticipation ahead of the new season, which is reflected by the amount of season ticket sales so far, was also reflected by around 200 fans who had come to watch training, but the weather didn’t allow for the original plan and improvisation was needed. Instead, the players worked inside doing some gym work. “A proper training session would’ve been better in giving me a direct picture of the new players, because every second counts,” explained Pál Dárdai, who will lead the time for a sixth season. For the head coach as well as the supporters, there will be more more opportunities to watch the boys putting in the hard yards in the coming days. “People love this club and support us. If we can work well as a coaching team and everything grows together it will be worth coming again because then we will see a team built on mentality with character that gives everything for Hertha BSC. That is the first step before we can state any goals,” emphasised the head coach.

With three new signings – without Rogel for the time being

Göz Atın

Dárdai & Ngankam called up to provisional Germany U21s squad

Dárdai & Ngankam called up to provisional Germany U21s squad

Dárdai & Ngankam called up to provisional Germany U21s squad

There were 25 players in total for the indoor session including new signings Gustav Christensen, Marius Gersbeck and Fabian Reese. “Currently, the training group is not so big. It would be good if we had a squad for the training camp that will start the season with us because we would then be able to do tactical work,” said the 47-year-old. Agustín Rogel and Suat Serdar are currently absent. The Uruguay international is missing due to a knee injury suffered at the end of last season, while Hertha’s number 8 is missing for the time being with a cut foot. Márton Dárdai and Jessic Ngankam are both currently playing in the U21 EUROs, while Dodi Lukébakio and Peter Pekarík are missing due to their involvement for Belgium and Slovakia in European Championship qualifying. Lucas Tousart will return to training in the coming week while Ibrahim Maza, Kélian Nsona and Myziane Maolida are training individually to begin with. Returning loanees Krzysztof Piątek and Deyovaisio Zeefuik will rejoin their teammates this weekend. These last three are returning from loan as are Linus Gechter, Alexander Schwolow, Marten Winkler and Luca Wollschläger. Jean-Paul Boetius has left the ‘Old Lady’, with Prince Boateng and Marvin Plattenhardt’s contracts expiring.

Two sessions a day until the weekend

By midday the team had already completed their compulsory performance testing. The head coach has planned for two training sessions a day until the weekend. “We are focussing now for two weeks on passing play under pressure and running training, in our training camp we will then move onto attacking and set pieces,” said the 47-year-old, sketching out the coming weeks. There are just five weeks now until the beginning of the seasion in the 2. Bundesliga (28.07. until 30.07.23). Hertha’s first friendly is scheduled for Sunday (02.07.23, 16:00 CEST) against fifth division RSV Eintracht in Stahnsdorf. Between 12th and 21th July, the team will take part in a training camp at Zell am See in Austria.