Worries about Reese - Hertha with mixed feelings into training camp
Before the final sprint of preparation for the upcoming season in the second Bundesliga, known issues from previous seasons at Hertha BSC are resurfacing. "I am partly satisfied and partly unsatisfied. We missed too many chances to then equalize in the last second – that really bothers me a lot", said new trainer Cristian Fiel after the 2:2 against Third League promoter Energie Cottbus on Tuesday. The offensively-minded professionals gave away many chances and, especially in the second half, were not always up to par defensively against the Third League team, almost a mirror image of the past season that Hertha finished as the ninth place.
For Fiel and the players aiming for promotion places, it's all about finding solutions to these problem areas starting from Thursday at the training camp in Austrian Walchsee. These issues have already given trouble to Fiel's predecessors. In the quiet community in Tyrol, there are not only training sessions but also the first strength test against a top-tier opponent. Hertha faces the Dutch first division side NEC Nijmegen at the Silberstadt Arena Schwaz on Saturday (4:00 PM), who finished the previous season as the sixth place.
Uncertainties about Fabian Reese
Whether Fabian Reese can participate again is uncertain. The captain was forced to leave the pitch in Cottbus after 20 minutes due to heavy fouling. "I mainly hope that Fabian Reese did not get too seriously injured", said Fiel after the game. Whether the German-Spaniard can rely on the winger again is also uncertain. In the past few weeks, rumors of Borussia Dortmund's interest in the former Kiel player have flared up again. Haris Tabakovic, who scored the 1:0 against Cottbus, as well as Ibrahim Maaza are also considered candidates for a transfer.
The newcomers are expected to solve problems in defense and attack
There won't be a major overhaul like last year, when the team was still making changes until the last day of the transfer window. Fiel has used this in the previous games and sent the team onto the field in various formations to integrate Michael Cuisance, who scored his first goal for the Berliners against Cottbus, as well as Kevin Sessa and Diego Demme. Both newcomers are expected to provide the necessary stability to address the problem areas in defense and offense. Two and a half weeks remain until Hertha faces SC Paderborn to start the season at home in the Olympiastadion on August 3 (2:30 PM/Sky).
- Despite the uncertainties surrounding Fabian Reese's injury and potential transfer, Christian Feil is hopeful that the captain will recover quickly.
- The training camp in Austrian Walchsee is a crucial opportunity for Hertha BSC Berlin to address the problem zones that have been a concern in previous seasons.
- The team will face a tough test in their first strength session at the training camp against the Dutch first division side NEC Nijmegen, who finished the previous season in sixth place.
- Hertha's new signings, such as Michael Cuisance and Kevin Sessa, are expected to enhance the team's defense and offense, providing the much-needed boost for promotion placements.
- The upcoming Second Bundesliga season opener against SC Paderborn at the Olympiastadion on August 3 is quickly approaching, and Hertha BSC Berlin needs to make the necessary improvements to secure a better future in the Football-Bundesliga.
- The past performance of Energie Cottbus against Hertha BSC Berlin, finishing the previous season in the Third League, was almost a rehearsal for the problems the team faced in the Second Bundesliga last season.
- With Christian Feil at the helm, Fabian Reese's leadership, and the new additions, Hertha BSC Berlin is aiming for a stronger showing in the 2023/24 season of the Second Bundesliga.
