Marius Gersbeck has a genuine opportunity to become Hertha Berlin's new number one goalkeeper. Coach Stefan Leitl indicated after the 1-0 win at VfL Bochum that a new keeper is not his priority. Berlin.
Leitl was asked directly after the match by a Sky reporter if he still wanted a goalkeeper. His response was a brief silence followed by a clear statement. "The profiles have been clearly discussed," said the Hertha head coach. "We definitely need players in the full-back positions. There's a vacuum there."
The 31-year-old Gersbeck made several strong saves during the away victory in Bochum. His reflexes were outstanding and he commanded his penalty area securely. Although the ball slipped through his hands once, it didn't result in a goal. Three years after returning from Karlsruher SC, Gersbeck might finally achieve his breakthrough with the Berlin club.
Hertha's sporting director Peter Görlich and football chief Bastian Huber are generally looking for a new number one. However, Leitl has set different priorities. Before spending the limited budget on a goalkeeper, a striker and a full-back should be signed first. "It's not like we can just pick and choose," Leitl explained about the difficult transfer situation.
So far this summer, Hertha Berlin has only signed one player. Oluwaseun Adewumi was loaned from FC Burnley. Fans and the coach are waiting for further reinforcements that are urgently needed. The salary structure at the capital club has changed significantly, making player recruitment more challenging.
Leitl knows how difficult it is to convince players about the Berlin project during the current transition period. "It's not like we're out in the transfer market and can say we'll take this or that player," the coach stated. The transfer window closes on September 1st, increasing the time pressure.
With Tjark Ernst's move to Feyenoord Rotterdam, the goalkeeper position at Hertha Berlin has been reorganized. Gersbeck moved up to the first choice and took his chance in Bochum. His performance gives the coach confidence to use the limited financial resources elsewhere.
Hertha Berlin's defense has already shown improvement this season. In the first three matches, the team conceded only two goals. The complete overview of current performance data is available on our stats page. The full squad profile with all players can be viewed on the squad page.
Gersbeck has until the transfer window closes on September 1st to finally establish himself as the starting goalkeeper. If he continues to deliver consistently good performances, he should remain number one. The next test is already coming up this weekend.
Hertha Berlin hosts 1. FC Nürnberg at the Olympiastadion on Sunday. The complete season schedule can be followed on our fixtures calendar. Gersbeck is expected to stand between the posts again and use his chance to establish himself permanently.
