Hertha BSC shows stable playing culture in the test against Augsburg despite the international break

Hertha BSC is ready for the restart. Despite various assignments to the respective national teams, the second division table leaders emphasized, especially in the 2-2 friendly draw with Bundesliga club FC Augsburg, that the new playing culture had not suffered any loss despite the international break. “We played a really good game in all phases against a very strong opponent,” said a satisfied Hertha coach Stefan Leitl.

Against the current fourth-placed side from the Fuggerstadt, the Berliners showed themselves to be equal and were unlucky with three hits against the crossbar and the post. The hosts were more effective, later also hitting the Berlin goal box and leading 2-0 after two goals from Rodrigo Ribeiro (37th) and Alexis Claude-Maurice (61st).

But Hertha fought back against the threat of its first defeat of the season and got a deserved equalizer thanks to a brace from substitute Luca Schuler (67th, 75th). “That shows that the boys never give up. It's just fun," said Leitl, adding with a laugh given the six wins at the start of the league: "It's a shame we didn't win."

Allocation is not always perfect

However, the 49-year-old also had criticism in his luggage. “We often had a situation in which it was not clear who would take over which player.” For Leitl, this is a starting point for the coming week of training in preparation for the home game against SpVgg Greuther Fürth next Sunday (1.30 p.m./Sky).

The team will start with two double units before everyone gets a day off on Wednesday and special preparation for the game for Leitl's former club, which he led to the Bundesliga in 2021, begins on Thursday. Leitl then hopes that “all national players have returned healthy” and that the rhythm will be kept high with the permanent staff.