Hertha BSC urgently needs to score again. The three games in the new year were all lost, now the difficult away game in Frankfurt awaits. Does Hertha surprise there with a new system?
Uncomfortable weather, uncomfortable situation: Sandro Schwarz urgently needs to score again with Hertha.
IMAGO/Matthias Koch
“They were turbulent and wild days,” said Sandro Schwarz, looking back at what had happened at Hertha since Saturday. The derby defeat against Union Berlin was the third bankruptcy in the third game after the restart and resulted in sporting director Fredi Bobic having to leave. His place was taken by Benjamin Weber on Sunday, the 42-year-old was busy with the final hours of the winter transfer window.
Hertha gave winger Myziane Maolida on loan to Reims just in time and brought Tolga Cigerci back to the capital. Another central midfielder for the Berliners, who, according to Schwarz, impressed in the first training session with his “personality, mentality” and “coaching”. “He’s a strong runner and always wants to have the ball,” Schwarz continued, adding that Cigerci was in rhythm. A mission on Saturday (3.30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker) in Frankfurt will decide how quickly the 30-year-old will find his way around the tactical processes.
Frankfurt “fight”
Top scorer Dodi Lukebakio, who toyed with a change of winter but now continues to wear the jersey of the old lady, will definitely be used. “It’s normal for a player to deal with a request. I spoke to him, we expect a better performance from him too,” Schwarz said, above all, about the Belgian’s appearance in the 0: 5 against Wolfsburg.
The entire team had already improved again against Union Berlin, but according to Schwarz, Hertha had to “let the defeat sink in first”. In Frankfurt it is now about fighting unity. “It’s a team that is very well equipped on offense and defends aggressively on defence,” Schwarz knows about the big challenge facing the Champions League round of 16.
Will Niederlechner start?
Since Maolida is gone now and Chidera Ejuke is still missing injured, it is conceivable for Black to change the 4-3-3 system that was used last. “It’s an option. If you have very good central midfielders and you’re missing players on the wing, it makes sense.” Florian Niederlechner, who has now completed a few sessions with the team, is an option for the starting XI. Likewise Jonjoe Kenny, who has recovered from his concussion and will replace Peter Pekarik on the right back.
