Bundesliga 2 - Three Hertha heads before the cup round of 16 against HSV
Hertha BSC got the result right, but the manner once again raised some questions. Despite the 5:1 win against SV Elversberg, the second division club still has many problem areas alongside a few bright spots. "Everyone is happy, except me, because the first half wasn't okay," said coach Pal Dardai. Three professionals were in the spotlight ahead of Wednesday's DFB Cup round of 16 tie against Hamburger SV (20:45/Sky).
Florian Niederlechner opened the ketchup bottle: The striker had recently hoped at a press conference that he could now be like a bottle of tomato sauce: "If it works, then it works."
To the astonishment of his coach at the time, who was unfamiliar with the phrase but is now a fan. "I hope it's a huge five-liter bottle from the restaurant trade. I hope it stays that way until at least Christmas," said the Hungarian with a laugh.
After mostly sitting on the bench at the start of the season, Niederlechner has now scored five goals in the past three games. "I've had that a few times in my career. I suspected it and luckily I was able to put it into practice," said the 33-year-old about his run.
Zeefuik's emblematic halves
"In the first half, we built up the opposition. It was chaos and I was ashamed," said Hertha coach Dardai about the first 45 minutes against their rivals from Saarland. Defensive player Deyovaisio Zeefuik in particular made several catastrophic misplaced passes.
The 25-year-old even asked Dardai to be substituted. However, Zeefuik's play visibly improved in the second half when he moved into midfield - much like his team's overall play. "He played an outstanding game in the second half and that speaks volumes for him," said Dardai.
Whether Hertha can get away with giving away a half against HSV, as they have done time and again this season, is questionable.
Worries about Winkler
There was another scare against Saarland on Sunday shortly before the end. Striker Marten Winkler had to leave the pitch. The number 22 had already played last week with an infection and had apparently not been able to recover sufficiently since then.
"He had a feeling of pressure in his chest, almost like a panic attack, and didn't look well, so I took him off," explained Dardai. Winkler is to be examined in a clinic. "The important thing is that everything went well," said Hertha's coach.
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- Hertha BSC's victory in the Bundesliga 2 was marred by questionable performance, highlighting both problem areas and bright spots.
- Prior to the DFB Cup round of 16 against Hamburger SV, three Hertha players have drawn attention: Florian Niederlechner, Deyovaisio Zeefuik, and Marten Winkler.
- Niederlechner has found goal-scoring form with five goals in three games, rising from the bench where he started the season.
- Zeefuik's first half performance against SV Elversberg was dismal, leading to several misplaced passes and even a request to be subbed out. However, his play improved significantly in the second half.
- Hertha's ability to survive giving away a half to an opponent, like they did against SV Elversberg, is questionable going into the match against Hamburger SV.
- Winkler experienced a scare during the match against SV Elversberg, feeling pressure in his chest and leaving the field. He was later taken to a clinic for examination.
- Underlying concerns continue to surround Hertha BSC as they prepare for the DFB Cup tournament against Hamburger SV, which will air on Sky in Germany.
Source: www.stern.de
