By Roberto Lamprecht and Paul Gorgas
The new Hertha coach Pal Dardai (47) starts his savior mission for the last six match days against Werder Bremen on Saturday: “Every game is a final. We have to win against Bremen. We’ve come up with something. If we do it well, we can do it!”
Pal Dardai becomes a master builder, turning over many stones at Hertha to stay up in the Bundesliga!
► SYSTEM CHANGE
Most recently, Hertha played under coach Sandro Schwarz (44) with a five-man defense in a 5-3-2 system. Dardai: “It wasn’t to my liking. Three defended forwards, three backwards. The spaces for the opponent were much too big. No matter what we do, we have to do it together. Courage and trust are important, mistakes are allowed to happen.”
Dardai will switch to a back four.
► LEADER
Dardai reveals: “In the training game I saw exactly who was directing. And those who switch off after just a few minutes without concentrating. I have had many one-on-one interviews. I need leaders here, I’ve already found six or seven names. I’ll call everyone together on Friday. Because something has to happen here.”
Plattenhardt (31) remains captain, Boateng, Kempf and Cigerci remain spokesmen for the team. Richter, Lukebakio, Ngankam and Marton Dardai are candidates for more responsibility.
Hertha coach Dardai (left) in exchange with Prince Boateng. The bank is now threatening him. Photo: dpa/picture-alliance
► WINNERS & LOSERS
In terms of sport, Dardai relies on defensive compactness, which requires a lot more running, header and tackle strength from now on.
Oldie Kevin-Prince Boateng (36), who recently started three times in a row under black, will have a difficult time. The midfielder, Hertha’s man with the biggest name, is threatened with the bench. Dardai on Monday: “It’s up to him, it’s about performance. We don’t need spells right now.”
Against Bremen, Hertha wants to rely on quick counterattacks
Filip Uremovic (26), who conceded many goals in the past, is suspended against Bremen and will have a hard time afterwards. Also Augustine Rogel (25) would be further out in a switch to a back four.
Stefan Jovetic (33) is the fine foot that Hertha urgently needs. But most recently, the Montenegro international was ailing again. Dardai must be able to count on fit players in the final spurt of the season – top star Jovetic (last scored a goal in a 2:5 win over Schalke) could even end up in the stands…
Dardai: “If he’s fit, then he’s the best player at Hertha. Then he runs 12,000 meters and plays well. But he has muscular problems in his calf, so I have to consider bringing him over for half an hour. I don’t want to risk injury. Maybe he’d better sit out another week and then we’ll have a real ten at Bayern or in the relegation. We had a good conversation and will decide that together later.”
Dardai is considering resting Jovetic against Bremen so that his calf can heal even better Photo: dpa/picture-alliance
Jessica Ngankam (22) and Dodi Lukebakio (25/ten goals this season) Despite good form, they were often only jokers recently. That should change again now. Dardai: “We mustn’t attack pointlessly, we have to play patiently. With Lukebakio, Ngankam and Derry Scherhant we have fast people up front.” They should ensure the win against Bremen with counterattacks.
Derry Scherhant (20) stands for some Hertha talents (including attackers Ibrahim Maza/17 years) who might get a chance under Dardai.
Dardai: “I learned that as a player under coach Hans Meyer. The young players don’t think that much in the relegation battle. At that time it was Fathi, Chahed and Cagara. They did a great job and in the end we made the rescue.”
Master builder Dardai now wants to do that again…