Hertha Berlin are the suprise package of the Bundesliga this season, sitting in an unfamiliar position of 3rd in the table and occupying the last automatic Champions League qualification spot. This season, Hertha have won 10 games
with 5 draws and losing only 3. The also have the best Goal Difference in the German top division, apart from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
It is difficult to decipher the source of this success as Hertha for years have remained an under-achieving side in German football. Presently Hertha are in rich form winning five out of their last six games and reaching the German Cup quarter-finals in the process. Much credit though should go to Pal Daldai who only took over in February 2015 and helped the team escape relegation with a better goal difference than their rivals. How he has turned a relegation side to top table team is baffling to say the least. Also Dardai only became the clubs six coach in six years as Hertha have not seen any stability for sometime.
It should be noted that Dardai's pre-season conditioning regime which was supervised by double fitness trainers might have been one of the reasons for their recent success, This was widely criticised by most players for been gruelling and energy sapping, but just like other aspects of football , it is now highly praised. "Our fitness is superior. It's the most important thing. Being in top shape radiates all the way into the brain," Darlai acknowledged this season. Dardai is a legend in Hertha and was a fearless hard-working midfielder and favourite of the fans "Ostkurve". The achievement of this present Hertha squad deserves commendation as Hertha depends on a low budget, far below that of Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04, but yet are points ahead of them this season. Also the city of Berlin is the only capital in Western Europe not to have a team that pushes regularly for their league title and even the Champions league. The likes of Paris(PSG), London (Chelsea and Arsenal), Amsterdam (Ajax) to mention but a few are quality teams in their leagues. The team does not have a star player as they play as a unit and hence grind out results. Ex Chelsea player Salomon Kalou it should be mentioned who only joined at the start of 2014/2015, has rediscovered his old form, scoring 6 goals in 27 matches and has also struck an understanding with ex-Hoffeinham and Bosnia and Hezergovina forward Vedad Ibesevic who has scored 6 goals with 4 assists and created 12 chances. The defence also is in top shape concedeing 14 goals in 16 games this season a far improvement on it's 38 in19 games last season.
It is safe to say that the city of Berlin will have reasons to smile once again this season if Hertha continues their early season form.
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