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Berlin (dpa) - Pal Dardai just doesn't have much time.

In the hunt through the relegation battle in the Bundesliga, the Hertha coach has to take on a new role again.

Now he is the one who eliminates doubts before the “joker game” against Schalke 04.

The Berliners should definitely not lose the momentum they have just gained in the final spurt.

The tough zero number against Arminia Bielefeld felt like a step backwards. Coach Dardai preferred to counter this right away and prescribed a positive mindset. "I have never seen a team that shoots every cartridge in the right place," said the Hungarian after the Berlin goalkeeper 0-0 on Sunday evening in the basement duel of the Bundesliga.

The big chance to signal the rescue is on Wednesday (6 p.m. / Sky) at Schalke.

With a win in the third and final game against the relegated team, the Berliners would go into the direct duel on matchday 33 with five points ahead of 1. FC Köln.

With another victory, the last trembling about staying in class would definitely be over on Saturday.

"We'll stay hard-working, honest, consistent and try to pull the joker," promised Dardai.

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Dardai's problem: physical fitness and mental freshness cannot be preserved at the push of a button after the two-week corona quarantine. The fact that in the third game in six days, despite the large-scale rotation with eight supposedly rested starting XI players, legs and heads seemed empty, was not hidden from Dardai. "If you are not in good physical shape, you are not in the best mental condition," said the 45-year-old.

Dardai's concern: In the Berlin world of thought, the positive must prevail. But the new injury concerns don't make the situation any easier. After the failures of Mattéo Guendouzi (broken metatarsus) and Sami Khedira (calf), the further involvement of Maximilian Mittelstädt (suspected concussion) and Matheus Cunha (ankle) is questionable. Dodi Lukebakio, Marvin Plattenhardt and Rune Jarstein are still missing after their corona infections.

Dardais plans: The big rotation will continue against Schalke, Cologne and also at the end of the season on May 22nd at TSG Hoffenheim.

Flexibility should be the key here.

The large, balanced squad could help.

Example is the left defensive flank.

Should Mittelstädt and Plattenhardt fail?

No problem, says Dardai.

Deyovaisio Zeefuik already played against Bielefeld there, Peter Pekarik and Jordan Torunarigha would be other alternatives.

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Dardai's arguments: Five points from three games despite the difficult isolation days are more than expected.

Hertha has been unbeaten for six games.

Twice there were no goals conceded.

And rank 14 in the table would make everyone happy in the end.

So why suddenly doubt?

Sports director Arne Friedrich also classified the Hertha world between hope and fear: “It is important to keep calm, to stand together and to see the positive”.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210510-99-539008 / 3

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