"This was a clear demonstration of a threat."
Hertha BSC Berlin Seek Improvement Ahead of Home Game Against Karlsruhe
Hertha BSC Berlin, the capital city's football club, are determined to bounce back from a disappointing start to the 2025/26 season. After suffering a heavy setback with their fifth consecutive opening defeat in the second division, the team is focusing on winning their first home game against Karlsruhe next weekend.
Benjamin Weber, the sporting director of Hertha BSC Berlin, has stated that they must sharpen their senses to avoid a repeat of the disappointing first half performance against Schalke 04. In the season opener, the team's performance was described as disappointing, with Stefan Leitl, the Berlin coach, expressing disappointment with the team's performance in the first half, as they "completely slept through" it.
Despite the defeat, Weber emphasized that the team must not let their heads drop. Fabian Reese, the captain of Hertha BSC Berlin, admitted that the team played a game they hadn't played in the last six weeks. Reese and new signing Dawid Kownacki, who formed a striking duo, barely made an impact in the match. Kownacki was outplayed by the Schalke players.
In an effort to improve, Weber announced an "intensive analysis" of their performance against Schalke 04. The focus of the analysis will be on team organization and discipline under Leitl's guidance, maintaining squad stability, and making targeted signings. Last season, Hertha made smart signings like Paul Seguin, Leon Jensen, Sebastian Grønning, and Niklas Kolbe, and Leitl has stated clearly that the team’s goal is to do everything possible to achieve promotion back to the Bundesliga.
Hertha had traveled to Gelsenkirchen with great euphoria, wanting to send a signal to the competition right from the start. However, the Schalke players were described as playing like they were possessed at times, with the defeat occurring in the duel against Schalke 04, a traditional club.
Reese, however, expressed that their squad is a favorite in the second division. Despite the defeat, the team remains cautiously optimistic about mounting a promotion challenge this time, with confidence in Leitl’s experience leading teams to the Bundesliga. Weber also mentioned that the team must avoid a "first half like that" against Karlsruhe.
As they prepare for their home game against Karlsruhe, the team is aiming to show their true face. With continued improvement and focus on their goals, Hertha BSC Berlin hopes to secure promotion back to the top flight during the 2025/26 season.
The sports-focused team, Hertha BSC Berlin, intends to better their European leagues performance when they face Karlsruhe at home, in an effort to secure promotion back to the Bundesliga, following a disappointing start to the 2025/26 season. In their previous encounter, they struggled against Schalke 04, with reports suggesting that they must sharpen their senses and improve their organization and discipline to avoid similar setbacks moving forward.
