John targets return to form
Posted Thursday, October 22, 2009 by PA
Hertha Berlin assistant coach Christoph John sees Thursday's Europa League clash with Heerenveen at the Olympiastadion as a chance for the struggling side to rediscover some much-needed self-belief.
Hertha lie rooted to the foot of the Bundesliga after suffering eight defeats in their first nine league games, the latest a 3-0 reverse at newly-promoted Nurnberg last weekend.
And they are in a similar position in Europa League Group D, propping up the pool with one point from two games so far.
Heerenveen too, though, have started the campaign poorly - they are in the bottom three in the Eredivisie and also have just a point to their name in Europe - and John hopes tomorrow's match could be a turning point for his side.
"For us (the game is) very important," John said on Hertha's website, herthabsc.de.
"For one thing we can get back our self belief, for another we still have the chance of progressing further in the Europa League."
Goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny, who had been out since last month with a muscle injury, could return between the posts, although coach Friedhelm Funkel insists he will not take any risks with the Czech's fitness.
"I will only let him play when he is absolutely pain free," he said.
Lukasz Piszczek is ready to return from a ligament strain, but midfielder Max Nicu, who is struggling to shake off an ankle problem, will miss out.
Brazilian striker Paulo Henrique could return for the visitors having missed the defeat to PSV Eindhoven at the weekend after returning late from a visit to his homeland.
Henrique was fined for his late return, but interim boss Jan de Jonge has still included him in the party for the trip to Berlin.
De Jonge admits it is now up to his team to improve if they are to turn their season around.
"We are looking at ourselves, first we must must seek to improve our own game," he said on the club's official website.
Roy Beerens is out injured, though, along with Patrik Ingelsten, Arnar Smarason and Kenny Steppe.
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