By Carsten Priefer
Once a Hertha player, always a Hertha player!
Right winger Marten Winkler (20) is on cloud nine before the away game on Sunday in Nuremberg (1:30 p.m.). He appeared in seven second division games, scored two goals and prepared another.
That’s why the club reacted and extended his contract until 2027. On top of that, Winkler also took out a lifelong membership with Hertha.
Winkler: “I grew up here. I was twelve years old when I went to boarding school. I have a lot to thank the club, those responsible and the coaches. Hertha is like my family, my home.” In Nuremberg he will probably be on the bench as a joker and will then be expected to cause a stir on the offensive in the second half.
Dardai announcement to Winkler
Nuremberg is particularly strong on the wing, so the Berliners have to defend particularly aggressively. That’s not Winkler’s strength yet.
Marten Winkler (m.) cheers with Palko Dardai (l.) and Fabian Reese Photo: City Press
That’s why coach says Pal Dardai (47): “Marten needs to work on his defensive behavior and his right foot. But the most important thing with him is his defensive behavior and his posture. He also has to show defensively, not just for himself, but for the fans, for the coach, for the team, that he is ready.”
At the front, yuck, at the back, yuck – that should change. The coaching team works on this every day. Dardai: “Our opinion as a coaching team and its perception, there is a huge hole. We have to fill that.”
Winkler knows this, says: “My first appearances and my first goal in front of our fans in the Olympic Stadium made me want more. My goal is to continually take the next steps.”
With hard work on the pitch. It’s best to go to the club on Sunday.