Hertha Blog

Into The Lion's Den . .

10/26/2013

I am guessing a likely team to be announced for today's game against Bayern would be something like as follows:

Thomas Kraft, Peter Pekarik, Sebastian Langkamp, Fabian Lustenberger, Johannes van den Bergh, Per Skjelbred, Haijme Hosogai, Sami Allagui, Änis Ben-Hatira, Nico Schulz and Adrian Ramos.

I can't see Ronny starting and I think Kobi might struggle a little against Bayern but he may get a run out at start of the match like he did against M'Gladbach. We will soon see what we can get out of this match - there is always hope and you never know what might happen once that whistle blows and the game starts! Ha Ho He - HERTHA BSC!

It looks like the starting lineup does not include Sami Allagui as I guessed but it does include Tolga Cigeri. A little more defensive perhaps and perhaps taking a bit of a risk - Tolga has not had very much game time in Blue and White.

After/During the match
Wow, what can I say? In the fourth minute Per Skjelbred took his second corner, lifting it over the pack to Ramos who struck a towering header past Neuer into the Bayern net. Hertha took the lead and held it for twenty five minutes until Mandzukic equalised only three minutes after Gaving been brought on. At half time Hertha go in all square at 1:1 and they were certainly no Bundesliga whipping boys in the first half! Ha Ho He!

It's worth mentioning that's three assists for Per Skjelbred since his arrival at Hertha - a good trade with HSV there I think.

Things went a little astray following a rash challenge by Haijme Hosogai and the resulting free kick the 51st minute. Mandzukic struck again to make it 2:1 and just three minutes later Götze, possibly the shortest guy on the pitch, managed to get a header away past the Hertha defence to beat Thomas Kraft and make it 3:1.

Hertha certainly didn't give up and were rewarded by a second goal initially struck by Ramos but helped past Neuer by Änis Ben-Hatira in the 58th minute.

There is most certainly honour in defeat - especially defeat by the narrowest of margins. It ended 3:2, not totally without controversy.

Did Alaba clip the heel of Ramos to bring him down just outside the box on a clear run on goal? It looked like it to me but I am biased . . . Anyway you look at it, it wasn't given but Hertha battled on regardless right until the end, searching for the equaliser.

We may have lost but there was plenty to be proud of today - Ha Ho He . .

Fifth place after ten games - still not bad, not bad at all

Away in München . . . .

10/25/2013

Ahead of the match against Bayern München it was announced that Michael Preetz has extended his contract until 2017. I'm not too sure what to say about that . . . .

Arguably, this match against Bayern is the biggest away fixture for Hertha or indeed any team in the current season. At least biggest in terms of being able to get anything from it at all! Our defence has been solid so far and we have conceded only nine goals but the back line needs to be very tight and Thomas Kraft on top form on Saturday for us to get through this one relatively unscathed. This is especially true as so many different players score for Bayern. There isn't a couple of players that you can "lock down" to prevent them getting into dangerous positions. Errors will have to be few and far between if the Hertha defence can hold true in this game.

Unfortunately Hertha have not faired so well on the road with just three points from the four games. Just in case there wasn't enough pressure Bayern have scored even more than us and conceded only four goals! Let's not kid ourselves here, to get a point would be a truly massive result.

Historically out of the last 28 encounters Hertha have managed four draws and even won twice! I'm not going to mention the other numbers!

In terms of the preparation the squad is fit for the most part. Only Sandro Wagner and Alex Baumjohann are not able to play or at least be selected. It is a shame about Alex in particular but these things happen. The last training session took place behind closed doors on Friday at the Schenckendorfplatz training ground.

Not long to wait now, we'll soon see who is selected and how they will be organised.

Team of the week

10/21/2013

It was nice to see "international recognition" for Hertha players from The Bundesliga Fanatic following the 1:0 home victory against Mönchengladbach on Saturday. Two players (Sebastian Langkamp and Adrian Ramos) we're featured on this weeks role of honour for the Bundesliga to recognise their significant contribution. Also listed as an "Honourable Mention" were Johannes van den Burgh and Per Skjelbred!

Well played to "die Jungs" and perhaps, Hertha may end up to be that dark horse people talk about after all. But next week, away at Bayern München . . .

If you want to read the Bundesliga Fanatic article, here' stage link - http://bundesligafanatic.com/team-of-the-week-match-day-9-3/

Bundesliga 9. Spieltag

10/21/2013

For the Hertha fans based in the UK we have a treat in store in that BT Sport are showing the match live though their Internet and satellite stations. So there will be no peering at fuzzy images on the screen to try and work out what is going on. The coverage is due to start On "BT Sport " at 17:00 (BST) for a 17:30 start.

BT Sport deciding to show this particular match has worked out really well for me as I cannot be in Berlin this weekend. It really is not the same watching it on TV, the atmosphere does not come across at all but at least I will be able to see the ball! I hope BT Sport at least continue to show the Bundesliga in the UK if not expand their coverage. I would love to be able to see more of the Hertha away games for example. It may not happen but it does not do any harm to dream . .

Mönchengladbach are visiting Berlin with a poor away record this season and with Hertha having been strong at home. Having said this two of M'Gladbach's losses were against Bayern and Leverkusen.

The match poses a challenge for the two
managers who both face their former employers and perhaps have a little more
hunger as a result. The match may also give a chance for the two brothers Ronny
and Rafael to meet face to face.

Rafael served Hertha well when he was in Berlin but I would like to see him eclipsed by a few Ronny thunderbolts in this match . . . more dreams but fingers crossed!

Here is the Hertha team sheet for the M'Gladbach game.

Well the brothers never got to meet on the field but who cares - Heimsieg für Hertha! Adrian Ramos scores to make it a 1:0 victory for Hertha!

Our new Norwegian, Per Ciljan Skjelbred, playing in the new role as an offensive midfielder, put in a good shift covering a total of 12.81km during the match. Critically, in the 37th minute, he fed the ball from a free kick right on to the head of Adrian Ramos who flicked the ball into the corner of the goal from eleven meters out. The 'Gladbach keeper Marc-André ter Stegen was left stranded with no chance whatsoever.

A great feeling to take the lead but I was gutted not to actually be there. But hey - the three points takes Hertha to fourth place and means the old lady has taken twelve out of fifteen points in the Olympiastadion so far this season. An impressive home record for any team especially as they should (IMO) have really got at least one of the remaining points against Stuttgart.

HA HO HE HERTHA BSC!

Here is a great video from Hertha TV showing the team and some of the fans celebrating after the great home win -

Preparation for M'Gladbach

10/16/2013

Hertha held their training session this afternoon (16/10/13) at the Schenckendorffplatz training ground. At the session Nico Schulz, Per Skjelbred and Hajime Hosogai all returned to Berlin from international duties and took a gentle start to their training. Sami Allagui and Änis Ben-Hatira also participated in team training after being part of the Tunisian squad. Finally, Peter Pekarik and Hany Mukhtar are set to return to the team on Thursday just two days before Spieltag 9 and the game against Mönchengladbach.

It's great the guys have made it to play for their national teams but it leaves Jos Luhukay perilously low on time to prepare for his old team coming to visit the Olympiastadion. Fingers crossed he can work some magic and keep those 3 points in Berlin!

Hey, welcome back Jay and Marcel!

10/14/2013

Both John-Anthony (Jay) Brooks and Marcel Ndjeng have returned following injuries to their arm and toe respectively.

They made an appearance at the Schenckendorffplatz training ground today (Monday 14/10/13). I gather it looked like they both have made good recoveries so far and no obvious signs of their injuries got in the way of the training.

The BZ report that Marcel says he is not without pain and his joint remains "a little stiff" where he suffered a bone edema in his right foot back in the Frankfurt game at the start of the season. I would say that I would take anything the BZ says about Hertha with "a pinch of salt" but it has been reported elsewhere as well!

Anyway, a hearty welcome back to training to them both and I for one look forward to seeing them playing again although I am not sure when that is going to be yet. The press suggest it may be some time off still.

Listening to Uli Hesse

10/10/2013

I'm not a BVB fan but credit where it's due the Yellow Wall podcast managed to arrange for Uli Hesse to be on the show for their 50th episode. Uli is the author of the wonderful book - Tor! The book describes the history of German football from the very start back in the 19th century.

The book is eminently readable and not at all dry as some books like this can be. As Uli himself says there are not many books about German football translated into English - there may in fact just be one - but Tor! is a great one IMO at least!

You can hear a little from Uli in the second half of the 50th episode on the link below. You can just go and make a cup of coffee whilst they are talking about Dortmund ;)

http://www.tyw.bundesligalounge.com/2013/10/09/special-episode-50/

Nico Schulz gets a game.

10/9/2013

Nico Schulz has been named as part of the 18 man U21 squad to play in the European Cup qualifiers against Montenegro (11/10/13) and the Faroe Islands (15/10/13). Great news for Nico I hope he gets a good chance to show off his quality.

Hannover and an away point!

10/8/2013

Hertha travelled to Hannover after their home win against Mainz looking to extend their rally of points. Hertha buoyant from the 3:1 victory but Hannover having the comfort of a strong home record and won their first four home matches.

The team sheet started with: Thomas Kraft (naturally), Pekarik, Langkamp, Lustenberger, van den Berth, Hosogai, Skjelbred, Allagui, Ben-Hatira, Schulz and Ramos as the front man.

The travelling Hertha fans put on a Choreo before the match - Die Schönste im ganzen Land!

Hertha conceded a scrapy goal in the 23rd minute - largely down to a poor clearance and not shutting Hannover down in the box. Oh no, the Heartha supporters lead heart again!

It was against the flow of that game really but Hertha really only had themselves to blame - the defence needs to be far tighter and avoid leaking these goals.

In the 79th minute Jos Luhukay played his cards as Sandro Wagner came on for Adrian Ramos and a minute later Ronny came on for Sami Allagui.

Just one minute later Hannover conceded a free kick that was well within range for Ronny who had just come on. Yes, you guessed it - the "Super Sub" from last year did it again and slotted it past the long wall into the top left hand corner. It was 1:1 and game on!

The bullet of a free kick can be seen here - http://youtu.be/Fg2TblOozLw

Hertha created chance after chance but could they score??? In the same way as the defence need to be tighter we need to be more clinical in the final quarter. We really cannot squander chances like this. But hey, Hertha came away with an away point from a team with a strong home record so that takes us up to 12 points so far - and, for tonight at least, in 5th place.

Light training

10/8/2013

Some good news I noticed today is that both Marcel Ndjeng and John-Anthony Brooks were back in light training. This involved a few laps of the Schenckendorffplatz training pitch. I hope they get back fully fit soon.