Back in rhythm
On Tuesday, the Hertha squad returned to the training pitch after a weekend free from training. During the international break, not only the players but also the coaching team enjoyed some free time. For head coach Sandro Schwarz, there was also footballing content on the agenda. “For a coach it is also important to switch off sometimes, but I still was watching videos of our upcoming opponent at home and dealing with these accordingly. It is also important to plan upcoming training sessions. Obviously, spending time with your family is also a high priority during this period,” confessed the 43-year-old. The international break is coming towards an end, as was clear from the training session ahead of the game against Hoffenheim (02.10.22, 15:30 CEST).
A focus on timing
After the warm-up, the Blue-Whites faced a session focussed on the finer details of passing play. Alongside dribbling, different types of passing were put into practice, long passing, short passing, diagonals. The boys concentrated for almost the whole of the 60 minutes long session on all different types of passing interplay. Coach Schwarz put particular importance on one thing in particular: “Be aware of the timing, boys!” At the end of the session, there was more physicality on display, as Marvin Plattenhardt and those assembled went into a small game full of robust and no-nonsense tackles. After the end of the session, strikers Davie Selke, Jessic Ngankam and Derry Scherhant stayed behind in order to do some shooting practice. “Because of the days off, it is important to get back into it again. We still have a long week ahead before the game and with the upcoming double session on Wednesday we should be back in our rhythm again,” explained Schwarz.
Back at full strength on Wednesday
With regards to personnel there was some positive developments, with goalkeeper Oliver Christensen back with the goalkeeping unit after Denmark’s win in the Nations League over current world champions France. Davie Selke, Suat Serdar and Marc Kempf also all made their comebacks to team training. Linus Gechter is still training individually after tonsils surgery, as did Dodi Lukébakio and Peter Pekarík, who are both back from international duty. Steven Jovetić will return to Berlin on Tuesday evening. Myziane Maolida, who is ill, as well as Jean-Paul Böetius and Kélian Nsona were all absent from training.
By the middle of the week a majority of the Herthaners who went away with their national teams will have found their way back to Schenkendorfplatz . “It definitely helps us that we have a day more. On Wednesday we are almost back to full strength and on Thursday we can then work on team tactics,” stated the head coach, expectantly looking forward to having the full squad back. The final open training session before the game against Hoffenheim takes place on Wednesday afternoon at 15:30 CEST.