A problem for a long time, now a beacon of hope: Dodi Lukebakio has developed into a model student of coach Sandro Schwarz at Hertha BSC. “We know about Dodi’s quality, which we also need on Saturday,” said Schwarz before the difficult top game of the Berlin Bundesliga club against FC Bayern Munich in the sold-out Olympic Stadium (3:30 p.m. / Sky).
Lukebakio and Bayern, that’s a special story. The Belgian has already scored five goals against the record champion. Only Dortmund’s Marco Reus (8) of the current Bundesliga players scored more often against Bayern, the “kicker” calculated.
“Doki has made good development steps”
Strong games against Bayern seem to be particularly fun for Lukebakio. “I hope the next one will follow on Saturday,” said the 25-year-old. Five of the 14 Hertha goals this season are his. In a less effective offensive, he is the guarantor that things are not even worse for the Berliners in 14th place.
That was not foreseeable in the summer. Lukebakio was considered a safe candidate for sale. Last year he was awarded to VfL Wolfsburg for economic and educational reasons. He didn’t have a good time there. Sometimes he seemed incorrigible, even in Berlin. A sloppy talent. But Black took the time for the fast attacker.
The trainer told him “right at the beginning of the preparation what he wants from me and what he sees in me. That gave me a lot of momentum. At that moment I knew: I want to stay – and work with him,” says Lukebakio well. “Dodi is the player who has made good progress, especially in terms of defensive play,” said Schwarz. It should also be offensive again for Lukebakio today.
