By Paul Gorgas and Roberto Lamprecht
Hard, harder, Leistner! Hertha’s new defense boss broke his nose on Saturday evening on his 33rd birthday in the bankruptcy in Hamburg (0: 3).
for minutes Leistner treated lying on the ground after a collision with László Bénes in the 49th minute. Brave: Despite pain, a broken nose and traces of blood on his face, Leistner played through to the end.
Hertha professional Toni Leistner after his nose surgery Photo: private Photo: private
On Sunday morning he had his nose fixed in a Berlin hospital. And he’s already looking ahead again: in the next home game on Saturday against Fürth, he wants to wear a protective mask.
What fighting spirit! Leistner shows himself to be the leader in the total crisis!
Immediately after the bankruptcy in Hamburg, the iron-hard defender declared in BZ: “The nose is through. Luckily I’m already married and not looking. I wasn’t the prettiest before, now my nose is a bit crooked. It will now be judged, then maybe there will be a mask. Next week it continues. The skull is pounding, breathing was difficult. But that probably came from all the blood.”
Drawn: Toni Leistner immediately after the game Photo: Ottmar Winter
Nevertheless, Leistner was one of the best Berliners – as in previous games. In Hamburg he was almost the only professional who fought against defeat by all means. And despite being behind, he didn’t spare himself. Traits of a real leader, a real captain!
curious: Ex-Unioner Leistner was still viewed critically by some Hertha supporters after his commitment and even insulted by an ultra group on a poster (“Leistner, piss off!”), Many opinions in the fan scene have now changed.
Richter is still captain
In some internet forums, Leistner is now even being called upon by parts of the supporters to be the Hertha captain. An office that the leading player has already held at other clubs.
After the false start in the 2nd division (bottom of the table with 0 points and 0 goals after three games), Hertha needs a lot more leadership and support on the pitch.
In Hamburg, only Leistner was exemplary and put his finger in the wound after the bankruptcy, saying: “We shit ourselves in front of this backdrop. We played without balls.”
Marco Richter (25) is currently wearing the captain’s armband at Hertha. However, coach Pal Dardai (47) had announced that he only wanted to decide who would wear the bandage for the whole season after the transfer list had closed on September 1st.
Whether as captain, vice-captain or without a bandage – fighter Leistner will certainly set the pace at Hertha in the future.