The Bundesliga high-fliers find themselves in third place, and now have the chance to book their place in the DFB Cup quarterfinal with a win against FC Nürnberg. All Berlin fans are dreaming of a final in their home town – manager Pal Dardai is no exception. In an interview with DFB.de, the 39-year-old discusses the cup game (19:00 CET) in Nürnberg, his annual family walk on DFB Cup final day to the Olympiastadion, and why would be happy to skip this particular tradition on the 21st May this year.
DFB.de: Mr. Dardai, including tonight’s match, the final of the DFB Cup is just three matches away. Is it a dream of yours to play this game in your home city?
Pal Dardai: It’s not just my dream, it’s a dream shared by all the fans of Hertha BSC. We want to write a success story with this cup.
DFB.de: How important is the DFB Cup to you personally?
Dardai: I would like to be successful with my team in this competition. It would really cap what has been an excellent season so far for us. We have the opportunity to give ourselves a merry Christmas.
DFB.de: What connections do you have to the final in Berlin?
Dardai: On final day, I always go for a walk with my family, my wife Monica and my three sons from our house in the Westend to the Olympiastadion. When I experience the atmosphere, I’m always sad that Hertha BSC aren’t involved. I want to change this, and it has been my aim from the very beginning.
DFB.de: The next obstacle on that path is Nürnberg. What do you expect from the match?
Dardai: It will be a very difficult match. Nürnberg are playing very well, and just like at Darmstadt, we will have to fight hard. If we are lacking slightly, we won’t get anything from the game. We have to be fully concentrated from the first minute.
DFB.de: How do you rate your opposition?
Dardai: Nürnberg are a very strong second-division side, who on their day are at Bundesliga level. Particularly in their home stadium, they won’t make it easy for us.
DFB.de: Is it harder preparing your team for a match against a second-division side, as opposed to a Bundesliga side?
Dardai: They are our third second-division opposition so far in this competition. On a good day, every team can beat a Bundesliga side – and we are aware of this. Our scouting division, who work extremely hard, will prepare us no differently to if we were playing a Bundesliga side.
DFB.de: Berlin have cemented their position in the top end of the table. What is your secret?
Dardai: Work, work and more work. We had a very tough pre-season, and are a fit team. The things we have internalised are getting better and better. And crucially, we are a proper team, the players are genuinely very close.
DFB.de: What symbol would you use on your phone to describe the season so far, if you weren’t allowed to use words?
Dardai: A laughing smiley and a thumbs up.
DFB.de: Are Hertha ready for Europe?
Dardai: I have always said the first aim is to reach 40 points. If we can achieve that, then we can start to think about other things - but only then!
DFB.de: How have you dealt with the success personally?
Have you changed since you became a Bundesliga manager?
Dardai: I have been in Berlin for a long time. I don’t think I’ve changed that much in the last 20 years, as a player, youth trainer or a manager. I am the same man as ever.
DFB.de: A different subject to end the interview. You were national coach of Hungary up until this summer. How pleased are you that they reached the European Championships?
Dardai: It was and still is a huge thing for the country. You have to remember that Hungary haven’t been involved in this kind of tournament for five decades. For that reason, everyone is very proud of their national side.
DFB.de: Are you proud to have played a part?
Dardai: At the end of the day it was the players, and of course Bernd Storck who got the team to France. I am of course pleased to have contributed in some way.
DFB.de: What do you think of their group?
Iceland, Austria and Portugal.
Dardai: Let’s put it this way, you can’t underestimate anyone, but it could have been a lot worse.
[mmc/wh]
The Bundesliga high-fliers find themselves in third place, and now have the chance to book their place in the DFB Cup quarterfinal with a win against FC Nürnberg. All Berlin fans are dreaming of a final in their home town – manager Pal Dardai is no exception. In an interview with DFB.de, the 39-year-old discusses the cup game (19:00 CET) in Nürnberg, his annual family walk on DFB Cup final day to the Olympiastadion, and why would be happy to skip this particular tradition on the 21st May this year.
DFB.de: Mr. Dardai, including tonight’s match, the final of the DFB Cup is just three matches away. Is it a dream of yours to play this game in your home city?
Pal Dardai: It’s not just my dream, it’s a dream shared by all the fans of Hertha BSC. We want to write a success story with this cup.
DFB.de: How important is the DFB Cup to you personally?
Dardai: I would like to be successful with my team in this competition. It would really cap what has been an excellent season so far for us. We have the opportunity to give ourselves a merry Christmas.
DFB.de: What connections do you have to the final in Berlin?
Dardai: On final day, I always go for a walk with my family, my wife Monica and my three sons from our house in the Westend to the Olympiastadion. When I experience the atmosphere, I’m always sad that Hertha BSC aren’t involved. I want to change this, and it has been my aim from the very beginning.
DFB.de: The next obstacle on that path is Nürnberg. What do you expect from the match?
Dardai: It will be a very difficult match. Nürnberg are playing very well, and just like at Darmstadt, we will have to fight hard. If we are lacking slightly, we won’t get anything from the game. We have to be fully concentrated from the first minute.
DFB.de: How do you rate your opposition?
Dardai: Nürnberg are a very strong second-division side, who on their day are at Bundesliga level. Particularly in their home stadium, they won’t make it easy for us.
DFB.de: Is it harder preparing your team for a match against a second-division side, as opposed to a Bundesliga side?
Dardai: They are our third second-division opposition so far in this competition. On a good day, every team can beat a Bundesliga side – and we are aware of this. Our scouting division, who work extremely hard, will prepare us no differently to if we were playing a Bundesliga side.
DFB.de: Berlin have cemented their position in the top end of the table. What is your secret?
Dardai: Work, work and more work. We had a very tough pre-season, and are a fit team. The things we have internalised are getting better and better. And crucially, we are a proper team, the players are genuinely very close.
DFB.de: What symbol would you use on your phone to describe the season so far, if you weren’t allowed to use words?
Dardai: A laughing smiley and a thumbs up.
DFB.de: Are Hertha ready for Europe?
Dardai: I have always said the first aim is to reach 40 points. If we can achieve that, then we can start to think about other things - but only then!
DFB.de: How have you dealt with the success personally?
Have you changed since you became a Bundesliga manager?
Dardai: I have been in Berlin for a long time. I don’t think I’ve changed that much in the last 20 years, as a player, youth trainer or a manager. I am the same man as ever.
DFB.de: A different subject to end the interview. You were national coach of Hungary up until this summer. How pleased are you that they reached the European Championships?
Dardai: It was and still is a huge thing for the country. You have to remember that Hungary haven’t been involved in this kind of tournament for five decades. For that reason, everyone is very proud of their national side.
DFB.de: Are you proud to have played a part?
Dardai: At the end of the day it was the players, and of course Bernd Storck who got the team to France. I am of course pleased to have contributed in some way.
DFB.de: What do you think of their group?
Iceland, Austria and Portugal.
Dardai: Let’s put it this way, you can’t underestimate anyone, but it could have been a lot worse.
