So much Union is in the Hertha construction sites

Nothing new in the east. Before the capital derby in the DFB Cup round of 16 this Wednesday, Union Berlin is once again in better shape than Hertha BSC.

By Robert Matiebel and Bill Menzer

The European Cup candidate has nine points more in the league than the blue and white neighbors, who have fallen into relegation troubles again. What many have not yet realized: there is a lot of Union in Hertha’s construction sites!

► Example lawn: A new lawn was laid in the Olympic Stadium just in time for the cup derby. He didn’t come from the Netherlands or Germany as usual. This time weed was ordered from Austria. And that, although the old green had only been laid in November.

The fact that the lawn turned so quickly into a “clay meadow” (quote from BVB boss Watzke) was also due to Union. According to those responsible for the field, the double burden of Hertha’s home and Union Conference League games had destroyed the lawn in the bad autumn weather. The Köpenickers had to switch to Charlottenburg for their European Cup games because the Alte Försterei had not received approval from Uefa.

According to information from SPORT BILD, Union paid around 100,000 euros in rent per game. For the cup duel, Hertha is hoping for a playful advantage over Union’s fighter squad on the new, level surface.

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► The Squad: Hertha is in transition. Boss Fredi Bobic (50) is driving it faster than many had expected. A trigger for this: Hertha’s 0-2 derby bankruptcy at Union in November. Afterwards, Bobic said: “This game gave me a lot of insights. Also for the planning of the coming weeks, months, but also years.”

In plain language: since then, Bobic has known who he can and cannot rely on. After that, coach Pal Dardai (45) had to go. Krzysztof Piatek (26) was loaned out to Fiorentina during the winter break. The Pole was surprisingly given preference to Davie Selke (26) in the derby – and failed.

Bobic’s strategy is clear: he wants to get rid of big earners and develop young players for them. Not without danger, because at the same time he has to make sure that the squad remains strong enough to survive the relegation battle. Neighbor Union has been showing Hertha for some time how the mix of players with immediate aid guarantee and young talents works. And all this for down-to-earth prices.

It is really bitter that Hertha could have signed some of the current Union supporters. When Max Kruse (33) was looking for a new club in the summer of 2020, he was offered to Hertha. The then manager Michael Preetz (54) refused – too old, too unpredictable. Hertha later craved strong characters like Kruse.

Union’s Mr. Reliable, Robin Knoche (29/missed not a minute of the game), was also offered to Hertha for his free club search in 2020. Declined! Instead, Omar Alderete (25) came a little later for around six million euros. The Paraguayan flopped and is long gone.

Union super striker Taiwo Awoniyi (24) came from Liverpool. From the club to which Hertha has an excellent connection. Talents like Marko Grujic (25) or Allan (24) did not guide Preetz from the Reds to Charlottenburg – Awoniyi.

Genki Haraguchi (30) played at Hertha until 2018, where he was classified as too bad and sorted out. He came to Union via Hanover, where he has had a strong season so far (20 starts in 29 games).

► The future: The Berlin clubs also get in each other’s way when it comes to the question of how much money will flow into the club coffers in the future. If the current standings remain the same, Union will overtake Hertha in the TV money rankings. The Köpenicker would then collect around 4.5 million euros more than Hertha. So far, the Charlottenburgers have collected around 12.5 million euros more than Union. Suddenly both would be financially equal!

In addition, the new Berlin Senate must decide which stadium issue will be resolved and how. Union’s expansion of the old forester’s house is mainly due to a traffic concept, Hertha’s new stadium building to the question of location. Anyone who receives a positive decision will have more income in the future – and a better future in sight.