Working hard in the spring sunshine

Even though the thermometer was reaching the 20-degree mark, the team took a big step forward with their 3-0 win at home to TSG Hoffenheim at the weekend, and there was an international break on the cards, the team were eager to get back to training on Tuesday afternoon. Even the fact that both Felix Magath, still in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, and Mark Fotheringham, who had back problems, were unable to take training at Schenkendorffplatz did not deter the squad. In place of the duo, attacking coach Vedad Ibišević and fitness coaches Henrik Kuchno and Werner Leuthard took over supervision of the training session, and what they saw from the team was described positively: “It was a good start following a day off on Monday,” explained Bosnian former Hertha striker Ibišević.

Jovetić to remain in Berlin for the time being

Alongside Magath and Fotheringham’s absences, there were several players missing from the session. Whilst Lukas Klünter sat out of the session with a cold, eight of the first team were off representing their respective national teams. Stevan Jovetić, who has been injured of late, will remain in Berlin until at least Friday. This change of plans means he will train with his club teammates until then. There was an extra-special returnee to the pitch in the afternoon’s session too: goalkeeper Rune Jarstein finally took part in training for the first time following his knee operation. The Norwegian shot-stopper completed goalkeeper-specific drills before returning to the dressing room. Peter Pekarík did a couple of laps around the pitch, whilst Kélian Nsona continued his recovery from an ACL injury individually.

With the absences, the smaller group taking part in training today consisted of 14 outfield players including U23 attacker Marten Winkler, and four goalkeepers. The near 60-minute session saw all the players share one attribute; the sweat running off each of them, not only from the heat of the sun but also as they worked hard – the team had a challenging program on the cards. An extensive warm-up was followed by a passing drill, before the team sung ‘Happy Birthday’ to birthday boy Oliver Christensen and then played a short match on the small pitch. The game was filled with high-quality goals: Jovetić found the net elegantly, Marco Richter powered a shot home and Dongjun Lee finished off a fine passing move.

It would be more than welcome for things to continue in the same vein, said Ibišević. “We’re going to keep the intensity high and use the time as well as possible. There will be a couple of tough sessions ahead for the lads,” the 37-year-old commented. Several days still remain until the team travel to Leverkusen (April 2nd, 15:30 CEST), and the group will be working hard to prepare for that test.