Hertha BSC in the defensive crisis: Kolbe is out, Dardai has a chance!

Hertha BSC in the defensive crisis: Kolbe is out, Dardai has a chance!

Hertha BSC is currently facing a serious problem in defense. defenderNiklas Kolbebroke several ribs in the last game against SV Darmstadt 98 and is expected to be out for eight weeks. This injury occurred in the 73rd minute when the Darmstadt playerDeyo Zeefuikfell on Kolbe's chest. Kolbe, who moved to Berlin from relegated SSV Ulm for 100,000 euros this summer, was in the starting line-up for the first time in the game in Darmstadt and previously showed strong performances in both pre-season preparation and in the first game against Darmstadt. After a magnetic resonance imaging, the rib fracture was diagnosed, which the team coachStefan Leitla further weakening of the already unstable defense.

Hertha BSC currently has more injured players than points in August 2025, which makes the situation even more difficult. The central defense is very thin, therePascal Klemensmissed the entire first half of the season due to injury andJohn Anthony Brooksis also not ready for use. The remaining central defendersToni LeistnerandLinus Gechtermust now assert themselves in the center of defense, although Leistner is already weak this season.

New hope for Dardai and Rogel

Kolbe's injury opens up forMarton Dardai, who showed poor performances at the beginning of the season and was substituted early in the first games against Schalke and Preußen Münster, a new chance to play his way back into the starting eleven. Dardai has had a form crisis this season and is expected to be back in the starting line-up in the next game against Elversberg on Friday.Agustin Rogel, who was also considered to have been sorted out, could take on an important role in the squad due to the current situation after he was last used in stoppage time in the game against Darmstadt.

Despite the difficult situation, coach Leitl is not planning a system change and has announced that no further transfers will be made before the transfer window closes. This is due to the fact that the team's defensive performance leaves a lot to be desired and largely due to the form of the goalkeeperTjark Ernstis dependent.

Injury prevention in football

The most common injuries in football are fractures, ruptures and cruciate ligament tears, many of which occur on the sports field. According to current findings, around 38% of injuries are fractures, which often occur in the areas of the facial skull, lower leg or ankle. In Germany, around 7 million footballers play in clubs, which increases the risk of injuries. However, effective training and warm-up programs can help reduce the risk of injury. Programs such as FIFA 11+ and the Prevent Injury, Enhance Performance (PEP) program have proven effective in reducing injuries and improving athletic performance.

In the challenging situation that Hertha BSC currently finds itself in, the importance of a solid defense and injury-preventive measures is clearer than ever. rbb24 reports that the team will have its hands full maintaining defensive stability in the coming weeks. These circumstances highlight the need to minimize injuries through effective prevention measures, as also recommended in various football injury prevention programs, as in the information provided by safety.sport described.

The coming weeks will be crucial for Hertha BSC. The challenge of reconfiguring the defense while putting young players in charge could prove to be a pivotal moment in the season.

The Berlin fans can only hope that, despite the adversities in the league, the team will find its way back to its old strength and overcome the personnel shortages. Further games and the return of injured players will determine what the rest of this season will look like for Hertha BSC.

In summary, this case highlights the high demands and challenges that exist in professional football and highlights the importance of solid defense and effective training measures to avoid injuries as well the Berlin courier highlights.