Growing personal concerns surface amidst Hertha BSC, yet confidence persists at a high level
In the upcoming match against Karlsruher SC, Hertha BSC is set to kick off their home campaign in the new 2. Bundesliga season. Despite the friendly rivalry between the two clubs, ticket sales for the game have been relatively lower compared to Karlsruher SC, with Hertha BSC selling 23,044 season tickets, as opposed to Karlsruher SC's 32,190.
This discrepancy can be attributed to a variety of factors. The overall dynamics of the league, with the loss of popular clubs like 1. FC Köln and Hamburger SV to promotion, might have affected average attractiveness and attendance figures for some clubs. However, the 2. Bundesliga as a whole is seeing record ticket sales and high attendance averages, indicating a strong interest in the competition.
Club-specific fan base size also plays a significant role. Karlsruher SC evidently has a larger season ticket sales number compared to Hertha BSC, suggesting a larger or more engaged local fan base. Moderate ticket prices and stadium safety are other contributing factors, as well as market and competition differences between the cities of Berlin and Karlsruhe.
It's worth noting that the friendship of fan groups between Hertha BSC and Karlsruher SC does not directly translate to higher ticket sales. Instead, friendships mostly affect fan culture and mutual support rather than the size of each club’s local fan purchasing power.
Stefan Leitl, Hertha BSC's coach, is aiming for an initial victory in their first home game of the season, despite injury concerns. Key players like Michael Karbownik and Diego Demme are uncertain to participate, and Leon Jensen, a former Karlsruhe player, is an option for Hertha BSC to fill in for Demme.
Leitl made a promising start in his debut as Hertha BSC's coach, securing a point in a goalless draw against Nuremberg. The Olympiastadion, which can hold 60,000 spectators, is not sold out for the game against KSC, but the coaching staff is determined to make a statement with a victory.
Last season, Hertha BSC struggled at home, earning ten more points away than at home. However, under Leitl's guidance, there was an upward trend in their home record, with ten more points collected in the seven subsequent home games after his debut.
With a strong fan base, a determined coaching staff, and a home game in the new season, Hertha BSC is ready to take on Karlsruher SC and aim for a successful start in the 2. Bundesliga.
Although Hertha BSC's coach, Stefan Leitl, prefers to use a kind of football known as '4-2-3-1', he is hoping to utilize a player like Leon Jensen, a former Karlsruher SC member, in the upcoming premier-league match, as key players Michael Karbownik and Diego Demme may not be fit to play. This football tactical decision might aim to spark the enthusiasm of European-leagues spectators, as ticket sales for the game against Karlsruher SC have been relatively lower compared to their opponents.