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Berlin (dpa) - Bundesliga soccer team Hertha BSC wants to force a special turning point in the new year.
Instead of starting the second half of the season with the first game after the winter break, four of the six games scheduled in January still count towards the first half of the season.
"We have the chance to get started in January," said Hertha manager Michael Preetz on Wednesday in a digital media round with regard to the game against Schalke 04 on Saturday (6.30 p.m. / Sky).
After the home game against Schalke, without a win for 29 games, the Berliners will play the games against Bielefeld, Cologne and Hoffenheim until January 22, before the second half of the season starts on January 23 with the home game against Werder Bremen.
The away game at Eintracht Frankfurt then marks the end of January.
Hertha coach Bruno Labbadia demands a certain focus and concentration from his team, which has been lacking in previous games.
The fact that the opponent, Christian Gross, has already been employed as the fourth trainer this season, makes the preparation more difficult.
The Schalke winless series does not worry the 54-year-old.
«The opponent must fear his series.
For us it is much more important that the desire to win is greater than the fear of losing, ”said Labbadia.
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The former striker will still have to do without Santiago Ascacibar and Matthew Leckie.
Defense chief Dedryck Boyata is also out.
On the other hand, attacker Jhon Cordoba could be an option again, if not for 90 minutes, as Labbadia emphasized.
"You can tell that Jhon has not been on the pitch for two months."
Hertha BSC website