By Roberto Lamprecht
After the training camp in Austria (Zell am See), Hertha jetted straight to Belgium on Friday. At first division club Standard Liège, which incidentally is owned by Hertha’s investor 777 Partners, the Berliners drew 1-1 in front of 6,500 spectators at the Maurice Dufrasne Stadium.
The dress rehearsal before the start of the season in Berlin next Saturday at Fortuna Düsseldorf (8.30 p.m.) was a success.
Hertha coach Pal Dardai (47) – led by captain Marco Richter (25) – relied on the supposed starting eleven, which should also start next week.
With Oliver Christensen in goal, Zeefuik, Leistner, Kempf and Dudziak in the back four, the two defensive midfield clearers Marton Dardai and Pascal Klemens, in front playmaker Richter and the wingers Reese and Winkler and Niederlechner as the only striker.
The first half was very balanced between the Bundesliga relegated team and last year’s Jupiler Pro League, who were sixth in the table, with few chances for either side. A very disciplined performance by the newly assembled Berlin team, which is to be changed in several positions before the transfer list is closed on September 1st.
Hertha’s fans still had something to protest! They put up a large poster against investor 777 Partners: “Old Mac Wander had a farm. Ee-ee-ee-oh! We’ll never be a part of it. Ha ho hey!”
Based on the children’s song “Old MacDonal hat ne Farm” they showed their protest against investor 777 Partners with CEO Josh Wander at the top, in whose financial dependence with Hertha a total of seven teams have now fallen.
The US investor from Miami is said to want to swap young players within these “farm teams” of the 777 family in order to increase their playing time and values. Profits from subsequent sales would then flow to 777…
Marco Richter had to fend off many tough attacks in Liège Photo: City Press GmbH
► The Hertha pros shone in particular in Liège.
Standard goal against standard! The strong youngster Pascal Klemens (18 years old) extended a corner from Marco Richter with a header, the defender Kempf then easily pushed the ball under the bar to make it 1-0 (58th) for Hertha. After that, Richter narrowly missed making it 2-0. His 30-meter lob hit the bar.
Bad: In the 75th minute, Liège’s Price rammed Hertha’s Eliyas Strasner with his leg stretched out. After forming a pack, Kempf and Donnum see yellow!
Even then it kept popping! A real stress test for the young Hertha, who fought back bravely. Only in the 85th minute did the hosts make it 1-1 with a great flick from Dragus.
Conclusion: A performance that gives hope for the start of the second division!
This is how Hertha played: Christensen (Ernst 46) – Zeefuik (Kenny 46), Leistner, Kempf, Dudziak (Strasner 63) – Klemens, M. Dardai – Winkler (B. Dardai 79), Richter (Scherhant 79), Reese (Rölke 79) – Niederlechner (Kanga 63).