Prominent names watch on

There were a few familiar faces amongst the 350 spectators at the “Cornerlia Diamond” hotel’s playing pitches: As well as Gladbach representatives Max Eberl, Rainer Bonhof and Hans Meyer, manager Uwe Rapolder was also joined by former 96 men Detlev Dammeier and Ralf Rangnick, whose current club RB Leipzig are also training in Belek.

Diouf strike ruled out

A knock during the warm-up to intended starting left back Sébastien Pocognoli ruled him out, so he was replaced by Ali Gökdemir. The match didn’t exactly start with a bang, as both sides began concentrated on a solid setup and didn’t allow many chances. 96 had a bit of luck when Kobiashvili mis-kicked from a good position. Meanwhile, Stindl’s shot at the other end didn’t create much danger for Hertha back-up keeper Sprint. There was then a moment worthy of discussion when a Mame Diouf strike was ruled out for offside, despite the good work from Jan Schlaudraff to cross in. Berlin’s Sandro Wagner had a chance of his own in the 35th minute but his artistic effort went wide of the left-hand post. It was the first of a string of chances that the Hertha striker was unable to finish off. Hannover had enjoyed more of the ball in the first half and looked defensively stable, but were lacking that element of creativity that would allow them more chances. Berlin almost ended the first 45 on a high, but Ron-Robert Zieler made two great saves from Wagner.

A day of rebounds

Tayfun Korkut changed almost his entire eleven for the second half, with 17-year-old Valmir Sulejmani and youngster Tim Dierßen joining the action alongside new signing Atrjoms Rudnevs. The latter certainly used the match to make an impression. But first, it was Sandro Wagner who came close against after pouncing on Salif Sané’s back-pass, only to be denied by Markus Miller and then skewing his rebound onto the woodwork despite the empty net. The Reds then had their double-chance through Edgar Prib. Sprint saved from his first effort, with Prib then also hitting the post with the rebound. The game had certainly opened up by this point and both teams were offering much more in attack. Miller classily saved from Allagui’s drilled shot, before Dierßen had a chance at the other end. The number-ten role was allowing him space to try his luck and a 20-yard effort only just cleared the bar, before he was denied by Spring less than ten minutes later. Wagner continued to pester the Hannover goal but also had a strike ruled out for offside in the 84th minute. 96 had the chances to win the game towards the end: Adrian Nikci found himself ousted by Sprint after a quick counterattack, before a Prib free kick just fell short of spectacular. The stage was almost set for Rudnevs to snatch victory on his first outing for the Reds but he too was denied by the post in added time and couldn’t wrap his foot round the rebound for victory.


Not eaten his Weetabix? Hertha striker Sandro Wagner failed to convert one of his many chances

Korkut: “Gives me hope that we’re on the right path”

New 96-manager Tayfun Korkut was upbeat about his side’s performance: “We didn’t concede. That was important for us. The team tried to keep the ball moving and we managed to create chances. That gives me hope that we’re on the right path.” He particularly praised his players’ high level of commitment (“They all threw themselves into it”) and the youth talent (“They showed us what quality they have”). After completing the primary tasks (defensive stability and ball control), the aim now is to “step things up a notch and be more determined.” There is plenty of chances to do that with two more friendlies remaining at the training camp against Turkish sides Fenerbahçe (16.01) and Rizespor (17.01).

Hertha BSC: Sprint - Pekarik (46’ Ndjeng), Syhre (46’ Janker), Langkamp (46’ Franz), Holland (46’ v. d. Bergh) - Hosogai (46’ Niemeyer), Kobiashvili (46’ Kluge) - Mukhtar (46’ Allagui), Skjelbred (46’ Ronny), Schulz (46’ Sahar) – Wagner

Hannover 96: Zieler (46’ Miller) - Cherundolo (46’ Sakai), Marcelo (46’ Avevor), Schulz (46’ Hoffmann), Gökdemir - Andreasen (46’ Schmiedebach), Stindl (46’ Sané), Schlaudraff (46’ Sulejmani), Bittencourt (46’ Dierßen), Huszti (46’ Prib) - Diouf (46’ Rudnevs)