Beşiktaş
MKE Ankaragücü
Altay
Manisa FK
E. Frankfurt
Augsburg
Ath. Bilbao
Granada
Genoa
Lazio
Cagliari
Juventus
Nice
Lorient
24 games have been played in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season, which corresponds to about 70 percent of the total number of matches, with ten games remaining. Both their own results and those of other teams can still change things considerably for every side, including Hertha. Sandro Schwarz is not a fan of numbers games and projections in the relegation battle. “In the end, you have to control it yourselves, no one will help you,” stressed the head coach, focusing on his own players, and added, “We have picked up seven points in the last five games, and only by doing this can we make an impact. We also need patience and clarity to continue working and developing.”
Clear task: reflect the home performances away as well
His players began preparations with this clarity on Tuesday for the encounter with TSG Hoffenheim next Saturday (18/03 15:30 CET). The recent home performance against the in-form Mainz side should also give them confidence. “We played well against a strong opponent with simple, clear methods. This is what you can and have to do yourselves, including in the new week of training,” explained Schwarz.
Prince rests
Prince Boateng (gastro-intestinal problems), Jean-Paul Boëtius (shoulder injury), Chidera Ejuke and Kélian Nsona (in training) were not on the pitch for the start. Instead, U19 player Ibrahim Maza was out there training. The midfielder joined his teammates in passing drills, shooting training and seven-a-side before the coach ended the session after around 65 minutes. The rest of the week’s sessions will not be public and should also help to be as well prepared as possible to face Hoffenheim. “We have to perform there at the same level as in home games, the requirements are the same. We need the same desire in Sinsheim that we showed against Mainz,” said the head coach, explaining his clear strategy. If the team brings that onto the pitch, there is a good chance they will be rewarded with points there, and therefore change the most important figure, the points tally.
