Dismissive Remarks from Hertha: 'That remark was a signal of caution' - "This was a clear demonstration of intent"
Hertha Berlin Wakes Up After 2-2 Draw Against Schalke
Hertha Berlin's season opener in the 2. Bundesliga ended in a draw against Schalke, a result that has been described as a "wake-up call" for the capital city residents. The game, played at Schalke's VELTINS-Arena on August 1, 2025, was a closely contested duel of traditional clubs in front of 62,083 spectators.
Stefan Leitl, the Hertha Berlin coach, admitted that their performance in the first half was not up to the mark. "We slept through the first 45 minutes of the game," he said, acknowledging the need for improvement. The draw, despite expectations for a strong season start, exposed vulnerabilities in Hertha's performance and highlighted the need for improved focus and discipline to achieve their promotion goals.
Fabian Reese, the captain of Hertha Berlin, shared similar sentiments, calling the defeat a wake-up call. "We need to show our true face in the home game against Karlsruhe SC next weekend," he said, expressing determination to turn things around.
Schalke's ability to perform at home and their history of competitive head-to-head results with Hertha have made them a formidable opponent. The draw at Schalke marked the first round of the 2. Bundesliga season, making it an early indicator that Hertha must improve consistency if they aim for promotion.
Benjamin Weber, the sporting director of Hertha Berlin, announced an "intensive analysis" of their performance to identify areas needing urgent improvement to secure a successful campaign in the league. The next focus for Hertha Berlin is on winning their first home game of the season against Karlsruhe SC.
The Schalke football temple was sold out for the game between Hertha Berlin and Schalke, a testament to the fierce rivalry between the two teams. Despite the draw, Schalke demonstrated that they could frustrate Hertha, a reminder that Hertha cannot dominate as expected. The draw was a heavy setback for Hertha Berlin, who started the new season with a disastrous performance, marking their fifth consecutive opening defeat.
Despite the challenges, Hertha Berlin, as an ambitious team in the 2. Bundesliga, remain favourites to secure promotion. Leitl's squad suggests that they are a force to be reckoned with, but they must learn from their mistakes and perform consistently to achieve their goals. The upcoming home game against Karlsruhe SC presents an opportunity for Hertha to show their true potential and bounce back from their disappointing start to the season.
The European Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, considering the increasing concern for the preservation of nature even in sports competition venues, such as Schalke's VELTINS-Arena, which accommodated 62,083 spectators during the football match between Hertha Berlin and Schalke. Despite the disappointment of the 2-2 draw, both teams displayed competitive spirit, reminiscent of their storied history in European leagues.
