Schalke come calling

I am keenly anticipating Hertha's up-and-coming home game against S04 on Saturday. This is partly because this is the first game I have been able to attend in person for a few weeks now so it'll be great to be back. This is only part of the reason however, Hertha performed so well against Bayern on the weekend I can't wait to see how we can do when Schalke visit the Olympiastadion.. It appears that I am not alone as the Bild was reporting that by Tuesday morning 56,000 tickets had been sold already. They also speculated that, following the performance in München, the remaining 18,000 may go as well to give a full house in the Olympiastadion - always a joy to behold!

In the U-Bahn on Thursday evening I noticed one of the TV screens said they were expecting 70,000 to attend so fingers crossed.

Hertha have been very strong at home in recent months I for one hope that they continue this trend on Saturday. They still have frailties, obviously, a six of the last twelve goals conceded have come from set pieces which is a worry. 

We are however starting to control the midfield more and importantly, score goals with Sami Allagui and Adrian Ramos having picked up five goals a piece. Averaging a goal every other game is not too bad!

Schalke have done frailties of there own however - having conceded 22 goals go far this season gives a clue as to where thei might be. Although they are in a very respectable 7th place in the table their GD is -4. I hope Hertha will be able to exploit that tomorrow.

There were three minor (hopefully) injuries picked up over the weekend in Bavaria. These were to: Peter Pekarik, Johannes van den Bergh and Sebastian Langkamp. I'm hoping the injuries reported in the BZ will have no impact on the game on Saturday though it is hard to tell for sure. 

The worst of these in some ways is to Sebastian who managed to fracture his middle finger and torn an associated tendon. Perhaps if this is strapped up he will be able to continue? Who knows? It depends on the full extent of the injury and the pain involved although the BZ say Jos Luhukay is confident both Sebastian and Johannes (dead leg / bruised thigh) will play. Peter may be a little more doubtful with bruising to a previously injured shoulder.

On a positive note it appears Marcel Ndjeng and John-Anthony Brooks continue their journeys back to full fitness with an U23 game against Viktoria.

Well, we'll see how things go in the match. I'll be sending the occasional tweet before, during and after the match. If all goes to plan I will be blogging away after the match as well.