Hertha BSC can plan on using regular goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow in the upcoming capital derby against 1. FC Union on Saturday evening
Schwolow returned to team training on Wednesday morning, as did centre-back Marton Dardai and right-back Peter Pekarik. Schwolow and Dardai had complained of cold symptoms in the days before, Dardai had therefore left the quarters of the German U-21 squad early on Sunday. Both had missed training on Tuesday. Pekarik also sat out Tuesday’s training session at Hertha’s start to the derby week due to slight knee complaints.
Pekarik did not play in the Slovakian national team’s 6-0 win in the World Cup qualifier in Malta on Sunday, in which the Cologne professional and former Hertha player Ondrej Duda contributed three goals and an assist. In the 2:2 draw against Slovenia in the World Cup qualifier last Thursday, the 35-year-old had been in the starting eleven and was substituted after 88 minutes.
The fact that he will be available against Union makes Hertha coach Pal Dardai’s plans much easier: Pekarik’s right-back rival Deyovaisio Zeefuik has shown strongly fluctuating performances so far this season and was not in the matchday squad for the last league match against Leverkusen (1-1). And all-purpose weapon Lukas Klünter has been missing since mid-September due to a shoulder injury.
