Boëtius back in team training
While Vedad Ibišević continued to work on shooting with his forwards, Sandro Schwarz took to the press room as usual to speak to the media following training. Our head coach did not hesitate to answer any questions about his birthday the day before - “I partied as someone my age would – calm and harmlessly. The team serenaded me and Agustín Rogel,” said the now 44-year-old with a smile on his face. However, there was something much more important to the Hertha coach: “Djanga’s return – that’s the real story.” Just three-and-a-half weeks after his testicular cancer diagnosis, Jean-Paul Boëtius took part in team training once more. “We are all delighted to have him back with us. He has also been in and around the dressing room the past few days.”
Quartet train individually
The midfielder completed a 70-minute session in training. “He played a smaller role when it came to tactical work. We will see how quickly he can increase his workload and keep on monitoring the data,” the coach said about his protégé. Stevan Jovetić had to head to dressing room a little early for a consultation, as well as keeping his workload manager. Linus Gechter, Jessic Ngankam, Kélian Nsona and Filip Uremović all trained individually. “Linus trained by himself because he just played for the U23s against Cottbus after a long absence. He will need more time to get back into a rhythm,” said Schwarz. The veteran Prince Boateng, unavailable due to an infection, was also missing. “We will just have to see how it goes for Prince.”
Schalke in focus
Hertha still have time to solve selection issues before meeting Schalke 04 on Sunday (23rd October, 17:30 CEST), but more importantly keep working in training to improve their chances of getting their first home win of the season. “A focus of ours this week is our in-game structure and managing space – particularly through precise passing. We will be continuing to work on this - as well as our press and defending from the front,” Schwarz added.
Our coach will certainly be following the Royal Blues’ midweek outing in the DFB-Pokal closely, but his team have one main focus only: to get that first league win of the season in the Olympiastadion. “Our next opportunity for three points is this Sunday. We need to seriously prepare and work hard for it. We need to play with intensity – that’s the key to playing a good game,” Schwarz emphasised. And of course, that would be a perfect belated birthday present for him.