Hertha Berlin, currently sixth in the German second division, welcome Bundesliga outfit FC Heidenheim to the Olympiastadion in the DFB-Pokal second round on Wednesday, eager to measure their strength against top-flight competition.
Heidenheim, sitting 10th in the Bundesliga and fresh off a convincing first-round win over Villingen, will look to assert their upper-division pedigree against a resurgent Hertha side.
Match preview
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Hertha Berlin approach this DFB-Pokal clash brimming with confidence, having secured a three-match winning streak in all competitions, and their tournament journey commenced with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Hansa Rostock in the first round.
Under new manager Cristian Fiel, appointed in June, the home side are hitting their stride, climbing to sixth in the second division table and just three points behind the league leaders in a season that they started rather poorly.
Since Fiel's appointment, Hertha have shifted from an uncertain start to finding a consistent groove, with the win over Hansa Rostock marking a turning point that has seen them claim seven victories in their last 10 matches.
With two prior runner-up finishes in the DFB-Pokal, the lower league side are no strangers to the tournament's latter stages and appear determined to surpass their historic best, especially after last season's quarter-final exit to Kaiserslautern left them with unfinished business and a current form that fuels hopes for another deep run.
Die Alte Dame's home record against the visitors brings added optimism for Berlin fans, with two prior victories over them, including a memorable 2-0 last-eight win in this competition in 2016, thanks to a Vedad Ibisevic brace.
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Heidenheim, meanwhile, arrive at the Olympiastadion with hopes of making an impact in the DFB-Pokal as they balance domestic league challenges with European commitments for the first time in the club's history.
In their second-ever Bundesliga season and currently sitting in 10th place, the visitors have demonstrated their competitiveness in Germany's top tier, bolstered by an eighth-place finish last season that earned them a spot in the UEFA Conference League.
Despite winning only once in their last four matches - a narrow Conference League victory over Pafos - their winning European run continues to provide a vital source of confidence for the team.
While Frank Schmidt's men's overall Bundesliga campaign has been positive, their recent domestic form has been inconsistent, with draws and losses featuring prominently in their record, as exemplified by their last league outing, a 0-0 draw with Hoffenheim.
Recognising the Pokal as one of their best opportunities for silverware, Heidenheim will be determined to make a statement in this match against an in-form Hertha, especially given their history of cup exits at the hands of Bundesliga opposition.
Team News
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Hertha Berlin will be without midfielder Ibrahim Maza, who is sidelined with a knee injury and is expected to return in mid-December, while Jeremy Dudziak is also unavailable due to a groin injury, with a projected comeback in early November.
Midfielder Diego Demme is dealing with physical discomfort and is likely to miss only a few days, but defenders Linus Gechter and John Anthony Brooks are both ruled out with injuries; Gechter has a broken collarbone and is expected to return in the middle of next month, while Brooks is nursing an ankle injury.
Forward Fabian Reese is another absentee for the hosts, as he is recovering from an ankle injury and will also be unavailable until early November.
The visitors will be without midfielder Luka Janes, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury and is not expected to return until late next month while defender Thomas Keller may also be unavailable for selection due to a lack of fitness, but he is anticipated to recover within a few days.
Maximilian Breunig, who scored a hat-trick in the first round to help secure a convincing 4-0 victory, is currently joint-top scorer in the DFB-Pokal and will be keen to maintain his scoring momentum in this match.
Hertha Berlin possible starting lineup:
Ernst; Kenny, Leistner, Dardai, Zeefuik; Cuisance, Sessa, Karbownik, Thorsteinsson, Niederlechner, Maza
Heidenheim possible starting lineup:
Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Dorsch, Maloney, Schoppner; Wanner, Breunig, Scienza
We say: Hertha Berlin 2-1 Heidenheim
While Heidenheim have had success in their European campaign, their recent domestic form has been inconsistent, which may hinder their performance against a Hertha side in good form.
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