Pal Dardai has been named Hertha BSCs coach for the third time on a deal until the end of the season after Sandro Schwarz was relieved of his duties following a 5-2 defeat at Schalke some weeks ago. This defeat left the Old Lady rooted to the foot of the Bundesliga.
In his first stint in charge from February 2015 through the 2018/19 season, Dárdai mostly led Hertha to comfortable mid-table finishes. But he was dismissed at the time by then-general manager Michael Preetz, who was targeting European qualification as Hertha’s ambition grew following Windhorst’s investment. Those ambitions were never realised as Hertha instead became a regular relegation candidate amid turmoil on and off the field. Windhorst sold his stake to American backers 777 Partners in March.
The last two matches were lost to Bremen and Bayern Munich. Now, Hertha have four games left if they are to avoid a first top-flight relegation since 2012. Dardai continues their mission at home to Stuttgart (h), before taking on Cologne (a), Bochum (h) and Wolfsburg (a).
In this tactical analysis, we will figure out which tactics of Dardais are used to avoid relegation. Also in this analysis, in the form of a scout report, we will find a potential new club for Hertha BSC’s Lukebakio in the case of relegation.
Well-known system
Normally, a change of coach makes it difficult for professional teams to prepare for their opponents. With Herthas new coach Pal Dardai, however, the opponents know well what they are getting into. Dardai has already been on the Berlin sidelines twice. His tactical alignment in the games so far is reminiscent of Herthas more glorious days as in the past, Dardai has set up his team in a 4-2-3-1 which can switch to a 4-4-2 in defence.
What is striking is the clearly distributed roles between a defensive 6, a 10 acting farther forward, and an 8 buzzing around in between. That is also typical of Dardai. Hertha tries to stretch out the pitch. The wingers move into the centre and offer themselves up front. The full-backs, on the other hand, play deeper. Hertha wants to find gaps on the wings and then play the ball behind the defence.
The defensive strategy of Hertha BSCs 4-2-3-1 formation, while cons
