The team from the capital are on step away from fulfilling their dream with a DFB Cup final in their own stadium just 90 minutes away. Borussia Dortmund are 'all' that stand in the way, and they face Hertha BSC at 20:30 CEST tonight. "We said at the beginning of the season that we wanted to realise our dream in the DFB Cup," said Hertha boss Pal Dardai. In an interview with DFB.de he discusses the atmosphere in the German capital, the importance of the cup, their opposition Dortmund and the Hertha secret to success.
DFB.de: Mr. Dardai, is the match against Borussia Dortmund the biggest of your season?
Pal Dardai: (chuckles) For me the next match is always the most important. As our next match is the semi-final against Dortmund, it’s the most important for us.
DFB.de: You are just one win away from your first DFB Cup final in almost 23 years - and in your own stadium too. Is this a personal dream of yours?
Dardai: For everyone, not just for me. We told ourselves at the beginning of the season that we wanted to realise our dream in the cup. That was always in our heads, and we are getting closer with every game. We believe that we can do it.
DFB.de: Is the city longing for a DFB Cup final in the Olympiastadion?
Dardai: You feel it all over the city, that everyone has the same dream. The tickets for the semi-final against Borussia Dortmund sold out within ten minutes - you don’t need to say anymore. It is our dream, and it is one that we share with the whole city.
DFB.de: How have you experienced finals of recent years? Have you been in the stadium?
The team from the capital are on step away from fulfilling their dream with a DFB Cup final in their own stadium just 90 minutes away. Borussia Dortmund are 'all' that stand in the way, and they face Hertha BSC at 20:30 CEST tonight. "We said at the beginning of the season that we wanted to realise our dream in the DFB Cup," said Hertha boss Pal Dardai. In an interview with DFB.de he discusses the atmosphere in the German capital, the importance of the cup, their opposition Dortmund and the Hertha secret to success.
DFB.de: Mr. Dardai, is the match against Borussia Dortmund the biggest of your season?
Pal Dardai: (chuckles) For me the next match is always the most important. As our next match is the semi-final against Dortmund, it’s the most important for us.
DFB.de: You are just one win away from your first DFB Cup final in almost 23 years - and in your own stadium too. Is this a personal dream of yours?
Dardai: For everyone, not just for me. We told ourselves at the beginning of the season that we wanted to realise our dream in the cup. That was always in our heads, and we are getting closer with every game. We believe that we can do it.
DFB.de: Is the city longing for a DFB Cup final in the Olympiastadion?
Dardai: You feel it all over the city, that everyone has the same dream. The tickets for the semi-final against Borussia Dortmund sold out within ten minutes - you don’t need to say anymore. It is our dream, and it is one that we share with the whole city.
DFB.de: How have you experienced finals of recent years? Have you been in the stadium?
Dardai: I don’t live far away from the Olympiastadion. My family and I have enjoyed a sort of tradition in recent years. My wife, my three sons and myself make our way to the Olympiastadion on foot, and watch the final. We always did the walk, but Hertha were never in the final. It’s very frustrating for the fans. We will give absolutely everything to ensure we can finally experience a DFB Cup final in Berlin.
DFB.de: What significance does the cup hold for you?
Dardai: Were we to reach the final, people in Berlin and Brandenburg would be talking about it in 20 years‘ time. They will remember which Hertha team it was that achieved it. Everyone could be proud - the entire club, the youth system, the staff, members, fans. In that sense, the DFB Cup is of huge significance to me and to the club.
DFB.de: What memories do you have of the DFB Cup as a player?
Dardai: I remember a lot of bad times actually. No, I scored the winning goal in Frankfurt in the round of 16 in 2001/2002. Prior to that, I also scored the winner in Erfurt. In the same year however, we were dumped out in the 105th minute by Köln. And we’re back talking about the bad times…
DFB.de: You now face Borussia Dortmund, the toughest test after Bayern München. How are you feeling going into the match?
Dardai: It is the DFB Cup. It’s one game of football, maybe extra time, maybe even penalties. If everything falls into place - team spirit, form on the day, attitude, luck, support from the fans - then anything is possible. We need to believe in ourselves.
DFB.de: Why have BVB been so strong this season?
Dardai: Dortmund are a quick team, quicker than us. We can’t give them too much space, and need to be as effective as possible - only then do we have a chance.
DFB.de: Things are also going well in the Bundesliga, and you have a very good chance of Champions League football next season. Are you surprised by your side’s constant high-level of performance?
Dardai: No, it’s not a surprise, it’s all hard work. My team are very close, and are always looking to improve in every way. We haven’t stolen the points in the league, we have put in good performances week in week out. We can be proud of everything we have achieved so far.
DFB.de: What have they done well so far?
Dardai: We have a very good team. We always have and that was improved by the players that came in during the summer. Team spirit is very important. They boys are fit, we work hard. We know what we are doing, are compact defensively and take our chances. We are also always looking to improve. This mentality is shared by the whole coaching staff, the physios and doctors, the press section and everyone involved with Hertha BSC.
