The break was short, the workload is big: Hertha BSC started their preparation for the second half of the season on Wednesday – without captain Dedryck Boyata (coronavirus infection) and also without winter newcomer Fredrik André Björkan.
Björkan will train individually for the next few days following treatment on his heel, Hertha coach Tayfun Korkut said after the 70-minute practice session to kick off the second-round preparations. “We should be a bit careful. He has to arrive and get used to everything first.”
The 23-year-old left-back, who arrived on a free transfer from Norwegian champions FK Bodö/Glimt, was not the only one not training with the team at Wednesday morning’s warm-up. Dedryck Boyata was absent with illness, according to club sources, the Belgian tested positive for the coronavirus before his scheduled return to Berlin from his native Belgium and is in domestic isolation.
Lucas Tousart was missing for personal reasons, according to the coach, but the Frenchman is expected to be back in the mix on Thursday. Also not on board for the first shift after the ten-day Christmas break were Davie Selke, Deyovaisio Zeefuik (both colds) and Rune Jarstein (rehabbing after knee surgery).
Boateng also back in the squad
Individually worked Stevan Jovetic and Peter Pekarik, who had muscular ailments at the end of the Hinrunde: striker Jovetic in his calf, right-back Pekarik in his thigh. Jovetic took part in the collective warm-up under athletics coach Markus Hödl and then ran separately, Pekarik came onto the pitch later than his colleagues and ran his rounds with fitness coach Henrik Kuchno. The duo are expected to train with the team again at the start of next week and, if things go well, could play a role in the second-round kick-off against 1. FC Köln on 9 January.
Kevin-Prince Boateng (after knee problems), Suat Serdar and Lukas Klünter were fit for duty again without restrictions on Wednesday. Serdar had suffered a bone sprain in his knee in the 0:4 loss at former club Mainz and was out for the first-round finale against Borussia Dortmund (3:2). Klünter had seriously injured his shoulder in mid-September on matchday 4 during Berlin’s 3-1 win in Bochum and was out for the rest of the Hinrunde.
“We have enough work here “
Regardless of any absences or returnees, Korkut has clearly outlined his agenda for the coming days and weeks: “The main thing is that we have to make what we have shown in the last few games – courage, enthusiasm and activity, especially with the ball – even more stable and improve one or two things in the defence. We have a lot of plans for the second half of the season. “
The table is deceptive. You can’t go by the table.
This also explains the comparatively early start to training. “For us in the coaching team, every day is important,” Korkut emphasised. “Of course, we have already played four games together and worked together for just under a month. Nevertheless, it is the case that these days bring us further.” When Korkut, who replaced Pal Dardai at the end of November, was asked on Wednesday whether any team-building measures were planned in the limited time until the start of the second half of the season, he pointed with his thumb to the back – to the training ground, where some of his professionals were putting in an extra shift: “That is team-building – every training session. Nothing is planned that has nothing to do with football. With the current situation, everything is a bit more difficult anyway. We stay on the pitch in the fresh air, we have enough work here.” And despite the jump to 11th place and the balance of seven points from four games, the coach continues to be the admonisher: “The table is deceptive. You can’t look at the table. We should do our homework. “
