21.01.2010

Colautti an option for Berlin

Michael Frontzeck will not decide whether his 100th game as a Bundesliga coach is a reason to celebrate until after Saturday's away game against Hertha BSC Berlin.

"This anniversary will only mean something to me if we can take three points off Hertha", he told journalists at today's press conference. Because only a superficial look at the table would suggest that this is going to be an easy away game for Borussia. The Berlin side have garnered just nine points so far this season and conceded 39 goals, more than any other team. "But they have completely reorganised for the second half of the season and in Theofanis Gekas and Levan Kobiashvili they have signed two experienced players. Florian Kringe is also back from his injury layoff", said Frontzeck.

Hertha's 3-0 win at Hannover 96 last weekend was "relatively comfortable", he added, which would indicate that their activities on the transfer market have been worthwhile. "We know what to expect and are prepared", continued Frontzeck. "It's a complicated away fixture, but there are no easy games in the Bundesliga in any case."

Borussia's injury concerns have eased compared with last week. Rob Friend (cut heel) and Karim Matmour (Africa Cup) are still unavailable, and long-term casualties Paul Stalteri, Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, Christian Dorda and Gal Alberman remain sidelined. But Roberto Colautti is set to feature in the squad after a troublefree week in training and is "an option" for a place in the starting line-up. Oliver Neuville is also fit again. To be on the safe side, however, Frontzeck intends to give the 36-year old a few more days.

The return of Colautti is not a bad sign for Fabian Bäcker and Patrick Herrmann, incidentally. After making their Bundesliga debuts last weekend both youngsters will be in the