VfB v. Hertha Berlin | Match Preview

Friday, 20 November 09, 10:41 AM · Comments(0)

After a successful campaign last time around, which finished in 19 wins, a total of 63 points and fourth place in the table, Hertha BSC Berlin, who visit the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Saturday, November 21^st, are currently stuck at the bottom of the Bundesliga table, having taken a mere four points from their first twelve league games thus far. Hertha's 1-0 win over Hannover 96 on the first match day of the season was followed by an unprecedented run of eight consecutive defeats. It took until the 10^th day of the season before the ‘Alte Dame' (Old Lady) finally managed to pick up a point again, with a 0-0 draw against title holders VfL Wolfsburg. For the game against the ‘Wolves' new trainer Friedhelm Funkel, who took over from Lucien Favre at the end of September, was on the sideline.

The most glaring problem for the two time German champions (1930, 1931) at the moment is their lack of goals scored (7) compared to the number conceded at their own end (26). There has been no compensating for the losses of Marco Pantelic and Andrej Voronin up front, whilst defender Josip Simunic's move to Hoffenheim has also proven a painful one. At management level, former Hertha striker Michael Preetz replaced the extremely experienced Dieter Hoeneß. Preetz quickly signed Arthur Wichniarek to bolster the attack, but the former Armenia Bielefeld man has as yet failed to convince - not having managed a single goal in his first eight games for the club. As the transfer window came to a close, striker Adrian Ramos was brought in from America de Cali, but he too has failed to hit the net in seven games for his new club. Berlin's currently most effective goal-scoring weapon is midfielder Gojko Kacar, with two goals to his credit.

The insecurity and lack of confidence within the side was clear to see last Saturday, as Hertha managed a narrow 3-2 win over fourth division Türkiyemspor Berlin. The task ahead for Friedhelm Funke, who is well known for rescuing seemingly hopeless cases, is the toughest he has had to face in his career according to the trainer himself.

At Thursday's training session, Ricardo Osorio was also back amongst his colleagues following his muscle sinew tear as he hopes to be fit in time for the clash this weekend.

Due to a calf problem, Stefano Celozzi joined Serdar Tasci and physiotherapist Gerhard Wörn for a few light laps of the training facilities. Sami Khedira and Martin Lanig were the only absentees on the day. Both went through separation sessions as they work towards their returns.

Danke to vfb.de

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