The next COVID-19 case at Hertha BSC: After captain Dedryck Boyata, Deyovaisio Zeefuik also tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Dutchman Zeefuik had missed the start of training in Berlin on Wednesday, with the club citing a cold as the reason. On Thursday morning, Zeefuik’s employer announced that the right-back had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Situation at right back comes to a head
With Zeefuik’s absence, the personnel situation on the right side of the back four is coming to a head with a view to the second-round opener against 1. FC Köln on 9 January. Peter Pekarik is currently training individually after his thigh sprain and could return to full fitness at the beginning of next week. And Lukas Klünter, the third right-back in the squad, has only been back in team training since Wednesday after a three-and-a-half-month absence due to a shoulder injury.
Korkut gets to know Klünter “up close and personal “
Of him, coach Tayfun Korkut said: “I don’t know him up close yet and will now get an idea. It’s pleasing that Lukas is back on the pitch.” That Klünter will directly become a starting eleven option against his former club Cologne is rather unlikely after the long forced break.
Before Zeefuik, centre-back Dedryck Boyata had already pulled out on Wednesday with a coronavirus infection. The Belgian international had tested positive before his planned return to Berlin from his Christmas holiday and is in isolation in his home country.
Stark and Torunarigha likely as central defenders for Cologne
Should he miss out against Cologne, the centre-back pairing that impressed in the last game before Christmas against Borussia Dortmund (3:2) is likely to start: Niklas Stark and Jordan Torunarigha. Boyata had missed the last game of the 2021 calendar year due to problems with his Achilles tendon. Due to injuries and a red suspension, Hertha’s captain only played eleven of the 17 league games in the Hinrunde.
However, there was also a returnee on Thursday: Lucas Tousart, who had missed the start of preparation the day before for personal reasons according to Korkut, trained again with his colleagues. How long the French midfielder will continue to do so, however, remains to be seen. Tousart, Hertha’s record purchase with a price tag of 25 million euros, has never really been able to fulfil the expectations placed in him during his one and a half years in Berlin. He is considered a candidate for a loan or sale in this winter transfer period.
