Chaos before training camp
Flight canceled: German club has to reschedule
January 4, 2026 – 8:14 a.mReading time: 1 min.
The Berliners want to prepare for the second half of the 2nd Bundesliga in Portugal. But there are already problems at the airport.
Hertha BSC had to accept an unexpected change of plans for its training camp in Portugal on Saturday. After a running session in the afternoon, the Berliners wanted to fly to Faro on a scheduled flight. But the flight was canceled. The “Bild” newspaper first reported. Accordingly, the team traveled to the Algarve on a charter flight in the evening.
Diego Demme was not on board. The 34-year-old midfielder again complained of head problems and stayed in Berlin. In the previous season, Demme had to take a break for months due to dizzy spells. Niklas Kolbe was also missing after his muscle injury from the last game of 2025 against Arminia Bielefeld. Dawid Kownacki also had to miss the game due to a flu-like infection.
In contrast, the convalescents John Anthony Brooks and Leon Jensen are part of the traveling squad. Julian Eitschberger, who was willing to move, and four young players also traveled to Portugal.
In the Algarve region, Leitl wants to prepare his team for the second half of the 2nd Bundesliga. Next Friday, Hertha will test against Belgian first division club Standard Liège. The Berliners finished the first half of the season in sixth place in the table, five points behind the relegation zone.
After their return, Hertha has a groundbreaking opening program in the fight for promotion. On January 17th, the capital club will first welcome autumn champions FC Schalke 04, followed by games against direct competitors Karlsruhe, Darmstadt, Hanover, Elversberg and Paderborn.