In the home game against Bayer Leverkusen, Hertha BSC has to be prepared for an attacking whirl by the opponent. The Werkself want to end their negative run in the duel on Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky) in the Olympic Stadium, as coach Gerardo Seoane announced.
Of course, Berlin coach Sandro Schwarz warned against Leverkusen’s aggressiveness. But the self-confidence in one’s own strengths has also grown in the meantime.
Starting position:
The turnaround was achieved with the away win in Augsburg. Now Hertha wants to continue the stabilization with the first home win and create a cushion in the direction of the relegation zone. A win against Bayer is necessary for that. But Leverkusen have to climb out of the basement themselves. Just one win in five games is far too little for the Werkself. For coach Seoane, it is also about his personal future as Bundesliga coach.
Personal:
It was still open whether the recently injured offensive player Stevan Jovetic would be fit. The occupation in Berlin’s central defense promises to be exciting. New signing Agustin Rogel would be ready for his first Hertha assignment after his acclimatization week. However, coach Schwarz emphasized the recent increase in performance by Filip Uremovic and Marc Oliver Kempf in the defensive center.
Citation:
President Kay Bernstein, according to press chief Max Jung: “If fewer than 50,000 come, I’ll go home.” (Bernstein is said to have jokingly expressed his wish for a full stadium two days after his 42nd birthday.)
special:
Upside down football world: When Hertha plays against Leverkusen, Bayer is usually better off in the table. At least that’s how it’s been for the past four years. The Berliners were last one place ahead of the Werkself in December 2018 – and lost 3-1.
