Dardai: Khedira nears regular place in Hertha starting XI
Hertha BSC trainer Pal Dardai, rarely shy about discussing the state of his players, hinted that Sami Khedira might be used earlier this weekend.
A busy training week for one of Germany's capital city clubs left trainer Pal Dardai with much to consider. The 44-year-old had a chance to observe many of his players in a test fixture. Additionally, Dardai organized some 20-minute scrimmages on the full-size field.
"It was good for Sami and the others who haven't played much recently," Dardai divulged in a Friday presser. Naturally, the coach's answer reflected the fact that members of the assembled media wanted to know his plans for the recently-acquired 33-year-old World Cup winner.
Dardai's perspective on his midfield appeared to have shifted significantly from last week. The Hertha gaffer declined to commit to Lucas Tousart and Santiago Ascacibar, as he had prior to the previous league fixture.
"Of course I'm considering him [Sami] for the starting XI," Dardai bluntly told reporters, "it might be the case that he comes in at halftime or plays from the start."
The newly re-appointed trainer took care to emphasize that he didn't necessarily wish to deviate sharply from his "step-by-step" approach, however.
"If someone plays from the start, he must be prepared to go the full 90 minutes," he stressed, "We're still in the build up phase with Sami and we've done nothing wrong thus far."