By Paul Gorgas
Hertha finally wants to stop the horror series!
On Saturday, the Berliners have to play against Leipzig (6.30 p.m. / Sky) – a real feared opponent in the Olympic Stadium. The capital club has never scored against RB at home in the Bundesliga, the six home games ended 1: 6, 0: 3, 2: 4, 0: 3, 2: 6, 1: 4 – a real horror statistic. In addition, Leipzig are back in form after their victory in the cup against BVB (2-0).
Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz (44) therefore warns: “We have to be clear about our strengths. Leipzig mercilessly punishes errors in construction and switching with their quality and depth. This is Champions League.”
Qualities that should not come into their own against Hertha – also thanks to the five-man chain that the Schwarz team has kept stable for weeks and with which the Berliners recently fought for a point in Freiburg. SC trainer Christian Streich (57) then admitted: “It’s brutal to find space. A lot of teams are doing it now. Union Berlin is the role model.”
The first leg: Leipzig’s Willi Orban scores 3-0. Hertha came up to 2:3, but it wasn’t enough for more Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa
Especially in the relegation battle, Hertha needs more defensive staff. Schwarz also recognized this at the end of January: “After the game in Frankfurt (0:3, ed.), the result of our analysis was to have two more legs in defense in order to be more compact and to better secure the depth. The boys give the feedback that they feel totally comfortable.”
And the numbers show that the formation brings success: while Hertha scored an average of just 0.7 points per game (19 games) in the old 4-3-3 system, it was 1.1 points per game (seven games) with a five-man chain. .
In order to score points against Leipzig, Schwarz demands complete dedication from his team: “The decisive thing remains how you implement the basic order: with maximum willingness, with maximum intensity. We need everything on the pitch: all your mind and all your heart.”
And up front, at best, only a few chances for your own goals. Among other things, Dodi Lukebakio (25) should bring this with his speed (34.75 km/h) and goal risk (ten goals). Schwarz: “We have to play straight and take our chances.”
So that the Leipzig horror ends in the Olympic Stadium!