Hertha BSC’s Promising Turnaround: A Closer Look at Their Competition

In the world of football, there’s an unwritten rule to stay focused on your own matches and not be too concerned with what your competitors are doing. It’s generally best to take things one game at a time and avoid getting distracted by the actions of other teams.

However, when it comes to Hertha BSC, there’s a valid reason to pay attention to the competition, especially after a weekend that brought a much-needed change in fortunes.

Hertha BSC, the second division football team from Berlin, made a significant leap in the league standings with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Holstein Kiel. This win marked their second consecutive victory, following a 3-0 triumph against Eintracht Braunschweig the previous week. It’s a positive turn of events for Hertha, considering their challenging start to the season.

As Hertha’s overall performance improves, it’s only natural to consider their competition, particularly teams like Hamburger SV and FC Schalke 04, who share the spotlight due to their prominence.

Just a month ago, Hertha faced a tough match against HSV, which they lost 3-0. Coach Pal Dardai even acknowledged a significant gap in class after that defeat. At the time, it appeared likely that Hamburg would secure promotion while Hertha’s future was uncertain.

Fast forward four games, and the situation has become less clear-cut. Hertha’s performance has improved, winning three of their last four matches. In contrast, HSV has had setbacks, losing to teams like SV Elversberg and VfL Osnabrück. Their lead in the league has diminished to just four points ahead of Hertha.

Meanwhile, Schalke 04, who faced Bundesliga relegation alongside Hertha, is in a more dire situation. After a loss to FC St. Pauli, they now occupy a relegation position, and there’s evident discord within the team, with central defender Timo Baumgartl openly criticizing coach Thomas Reis in a TV interview.

It’s important to note that these developments are still early in the season, and their significance may be limited in a competitive league like the second division. Only two points separate Hertha in ninth place from Schalke in third-to-last. However, the current momentum favors Hertha.

Dardai is optimistic about his team’s progress, stating, “We are on the right track.” He acknowledged that his team’s performance in the recent victory against Holstein Kiel had room for improvement, but their ability to secure a win under challenging circumstances reflects the team’s quality.

Throughout the summer, Hertha faced numerous challenges, including complex squad planning and financial constraints. Nevertheless, coach Dardai now has access to a diverse pool of players compared to other second division teams.

Hertha BSC boasts one of the league’s most expensive squads behind HSV. Notably, Michal Karbownik, a Polish full-back, became the second division’s costliest acquisition with a transfer fee of 2.5 million euros. Only two players, Ron Schallenberg (Schalke) and Ragnar Ache (Kaiserslautern), commanded seven-figure transfer fees this summer.

This enhanced quality is evident in close matches, where Hertha BSC’s strategic substitutions in the second half have helped stabilize the team. Coach Dardai’s shrewd decisions, including introducing Bilal Hussein, a Swedish international, and Bence Dardai, who converted the second penalty against Kiel, showcased the squad’s depth.

In summary, Hertha’s recent successes mark a positive turn in their season, and their competition, including HSV and Schalke, is no longer as dominant as it once appeared. While it’s still early in the season, the trend is currently in Hertha’s favor.