Bayern Munich vs Hertha BSC Berlin - Pal Dardai relishing Hertha Berlin's trip to Munich
Posted Friday, November 27, 2015 by PA
Hertha Berlin coach Pal Dardai his looking forward to his side's trip to the Allianz Arena this weekend as his side look to end Bayern Munich's unbeaten start in the Bundesliga this season.
While travelling to Munich is enough to fill most opposition managers with trepidation, Dardai is different.
He has led his side up to fourth in the standings and sees no reason why they should show anything more than the due respect to Bayern this Saturday, saying he plans to enjoy the occasion.
"Football is fun and every single one of us can size ourselves up with the best players in the world, so you have got to enjoy that," Dardai told Sport1 television.
"When we come home, we want to be proud of the job we've done.
"If everything comes together and we have a good day, then anything is possible. We also have players capable of making a difference up front."
The reference was to Salomon Kalou, who is currently in his best form for Hertha with seven goals in 12 games so far this season.
The 30-year-old former Chelsea forward will lead the Hertha attack again this weekend and he too believes there is a chance of beating Bayern.
"This is a great chance for us," he told Bild.
"If we play as a team the way we have been doing lately, then we can win. Of course I believe (we can win), otherwise it would be easy for Bayern. We're in good form, we're winning games, we're fourth in the table and nobody would have expected that.
"Now is the best time for us (to face Bayern)."
Kalou may have a point.
Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola pulled out of his pre-match press conference on Friday as speculation escalated that he has decided to leave the club at the end of the season.
Reports in Spain - including in Catalonian newspaper ARA and El Mundo Deportivo - have claimed Guardiola has agreed to take over at Manchester City.
Both reports claim the former Spain midfielder will inform the record Bundesliga champions before Christmas of his decision to leave.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated on Thursday that an announcement would be made regarding Guardiola's future before the end of the year. Bayern cited private reasons for Guardiola's absence, with some reports stating he had suffered a family bereavement.
Given Bayern's form though, and the fact Hertha's last win in Munich dates back 38 years, it is hard to see any genuinely good time to face the record German champions, who booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek and can now focus all of their attention on the Bundesliga.
A win could be enough to seal top spot heading into the winter break. That, however, is still nothing compared to what they have planned for 2016.
"We can still play even better," said defender Jerome Boateng, who stood in for Guardiola at the pre-match press conference.
"We want to keep our foot down."
Guardiola is expected to return to Munich on Friday evening and be on the touchline at the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon.
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