HERTHA BERLIN NEWS

Santiago Ascacibar - Picks up thigh issue Ascacibar is in doubt against Wolfsburg on Saturday after a thigh injury kept him out of training Tuesday.

Impact Ascacibar made it through the full 90 minutes against FC Koln on Sunday, so it's unlikely his thigh problem will severely impact him. The midfielder managed one shot (off target), one tackle (won) and two clearances in the contest and shouldn't be expected to provide more than mid-range fantasy value moving forward.

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Peter Pekarik - Suffers calf issue Pekarik sustained a calf injury that kept him out of training Tuesday ahead of Saturday's clash with Wolves.

Impact Pekarik was subbed off in the 59th minute versus FC Koln on Sunday and was replaced on the pitch by Lukas Klunter. Considering Klunter featured primarily as a central defender last year, Pekarik's absence could force the club to shuffle the backline.

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Marton Dardai - Dealing with ankle injury Dardai missed Tuesday's training session after picking up an ankle problem, raising doubts regarding his availability against Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Impact Dardai played the full 90 minutes in the season opener versus FC Koln, in which he registered one shot (on target), four clearances and one block, so it's unclear when the defender may have picked up this ankle knock. If Dardai can't play versus Wolves, Jordan Torunarigha could be in the mix to replace him in the starting XI.

AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Schwolow - Concedes trio of goals Schwolow allowed three goals while making two saves in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to FC Koln.

Impact It was the most goals allowed by Schwolow since Jan. 23 versus Werder Bremen and a rough start to the new campaign. Once Rune Jarstein (COVID-19) is cleared to play, he could challenge Schwolow for the starting job, especially if Schwolow struggles versus Wolfsburg on Saturday as well.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Plattenhardt - Launches eight crosses Plattenhardt recorded eight crosses (three accurate), five corners and one shot (off target) versus FC Koln on Sunday.

Impact Plattenhardt was well behind Matheus Cunha in total corners last year (70 versus 28) but took all of Hertha's corners in the season opener. While it's just one match, fantasy players should continue to monitor Plattenhardt's share of the corners in future weeks. If he does take the full-time role, he'll be a top-half fantasy target.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Matheus Cunha - Records assist in loss Cunha registered one assist, two shots (one on target) and one chance created versus FC Koln on Sunday.

Impact Cunha recorded seven goals on 70 shots (35 on target), four assists, 110 crosses (33 accurate) and 70 corners last season and appears to be on track to produce at similar levels this year as well. The forward should see plenty of opportunities up top, though new signing Stevan Jovetic could serve as the focal point of the attack.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Stevan Jovetic - Scores goal in debut Jovetic scored a goal on two shots (two on target) in his debut for Hertha Berlin against FC Koln.

Impact It was also the first game in the Bundesliga for Jovetic who has now played in all five major European leagues with the bulk of his time coming in Serie A with Fiorentina. The forward will look to continue his scoring ways heading into Saturday's matchup with VfL Wolfsburg.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Boateng: Ghana star reacts after disappointing Bundesliga return for Hertha Berlin ' Goal.com Hertha Belin midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has expressed his disappointment after losing on his return to Bundesliga action for the club following Sunday’s 3-1 away defeat at Col...

AUGUST 15, 2021 • GOAL.COM

Krzysztof Piatek - Out against Koln Piatek (ankle) will miss Sunday's matchup with FC Koln.

Impact Piatek made 32 appearances for the club last season, though only 18 starts, so his absence may not impact the starting XI. Still, without the forward in the lineup, Hertha will have limited attacking options which could create more opportunities for Davie Selke.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rune Jarstein - Unavailable Sunday Jarstein (COVID-19) will not be in the squad against FC Koln on Sunday.

Impact Jarstein is still working his way back from having missed four months of training due to myocarditis resulting from his COVID-19 diagnosis. Alexander Schwolow was always going to be the No. 1 option between the sticks for Hertha, so Jarstein's absence is unlikely to impact the starting XI. Nils-Jonathan Krober figures to be the reserve keeper Sunday.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dedryck Boyata - Signs contract extension Boyata agreed to terms on a contract extension that will keep him with the club through 2024.

Impact Boyata played in 19 games (17 starts) for Hertha last year in which he registered one goal on 10 shots (one on target), 67 clearances and 20 blocks. Given his limited offensive upside, the defender figures to provide mid-range fantasy value at best this season.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Marco Richter - Signs with Hertha Richter joined Hertha Berlin from Augsburg on Monday.

Impact Richter scored three goals in 29 appearances last season and moves onto a club that's consistently in need of help in the attack. Should he be able to log the massive crossing numbers that he generated in the final weeks with 22 in a two-game span last May, Richter could have a major role to play with his new club.

AUGUST 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Matheus Cunha - Scores in Gold Medal win Cunha scored one goal on his only shot during Saturday's 2-1 win over Spain.

Impact Cunha had picked up an injury earlier in the tournament but he helped to take the lead late in the first half before Brazil's eventual success in the gold medal match. He'll now take the confidence boost of winning a trophy and return to his club, where he should be a starting option as soon as he's given some rest after this tournament.

AUGUST 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Krzysztof Piatek - Returns to training Piatek is back training with the team, though still questionable for the start of the season.

Impact Piatek is in training but is still expected to miss the start of the season. The forward hurt his ankle in the final match of the season, and has been rehabbing all off-season. He tallied seven goals in 18 starts last season.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Santiago Ascacibar - Back at training Ascacibar (head) returned to first-team training Wednesday.

Impact After being injured in a preseason friendly, it appears Ascacibar is ready for the start of the 2021-22 campaign when Hertha Berlin kicks off the season against FC Koln on Aug. 15. In 13 appearances for the club last season, the midfielder made eight starts and generated one goal on seven shots (three on target), four crosses and six changes created. If Ascacibar can break into the starting XI with more consistency, he could offer sneaky-good fantasy value.

AUGUST 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Matheus Cunha - Scores, leaves injured in win Cunha scored a goal off two shots (both on target), had one foul drawn, but was subbed off due to an injury during Saturday's 1-0 win over Egypt.

Impact Cunha scored the game-winning goal for Brazil in the 37th minute, stepping into the box to fire a clinical strike after Richarlison found him unmarked. On the other hand, the striker had to be subbed off in the 54th minute due to a hamstring injury. He's at least questionable for Tuesday's semifinal against Mexico, with Paulinho being the most probable replacement in case Cunha isn't ready to go.

AUGUST 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Santiago Ascacibar - Suffers possible concussion Ascacibar suffered a possible concussion and was forced to exit early in Thursday's friendly against Liverpool.

Impact Ascacibar isn't a significant player for Hertha Berlin, but he's set to see more time in the upcoming season than the previous one. He's battled a couple muscle issues the last two campaigns and if he can be ready for the opener, should see more than the 13 appearances he had last season.

JULY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Matheus Cunha - Scores opener in win Cunha scored a goal off three shots (one on target) and suffered one foul during Wednesday's 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia.

Impact Cunha finally bagged his first Olympic goal, opening the scoring for Brazil in the 9th minute with a beautiful header off a corner kick from the left. The striker will hope this is a sign of better things to come and up next for him is Saturday's quarterfinal against Egypt.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rune Jarstein - Able to train before the season Jarstein has been given the go to return to training following a four-month absence because of myocarditis from COVID-19, he revealed via social media.

Impact This is great news for Jarstein, who will get a couple weeks of training before the season. He's still behind Alexander Schwolow on the depth chart after dropping last season, but he still has experience if needed.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Matheus Cunha - Takes one shot in draw Cunha had one shot on goal and suffered three fouls during Sunday's scoreless draw against Ivory Coast.

Impact Cunha fought hard while he was on the pitch, but couldn't have many scoring chances playing for a team that was one man down since the 13th minute. The striker is still scoreless after two group stage matches and will try to open his account during Wednesday's clash against Saudi Arabia.

JULY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Matheus Cunha - Earns assist Cunha registered one assist and seven shots (five on target) against Germany on Thursday while also missing from the penalty spot.

Impact While Cunha was certainly a force on the pitch given his five efforts on target but the fact that he missed from the penalty spot could see him replaced in that role heading into the remainder of the tournament, including Sunday's clash with Ivory Coast. Richarlison, who scored a hat trick versus Germany, could make a decent claim to take over as the penalty taker moving forward.

JULY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Vladimir Darida - Makes bench against Denmark Darida (undisclosed) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Denmark.

Impact Darida is healthy enough to make the bench Saturday, but after missing the prior contest, his fitness is still a concern. He started the first three games of the tournament, but after Antonin Barak's performance against Netherlands, there's a chance Darida doesn't even come off the bench against Denmark.

JULY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Luca Netz - Returns to action Thursday Netz (foot) played against Schwarz-Rot Neustadt in a preseason friendly Thursday.

Impact Netz played in just 11 matches last year, in part due to injury, and featured in the starting XI just twice. Even with the defender fully fit, he figures to be hard-pressed to secure regular minutes this upcoming season, making him a low-end fantasy option.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Maximilian Mittelstadt - Playing in friendly Mittelstadt (concussion) was one of 10 substitutes at halftime of Thursday's preseason friendly versus Schwarz-Rot Neustadt.

Impact Mittelstadt -- whose concussion forced him to miss the last three games of the season -- figures to be a mainstay in the Hertha starting XI this upcoming season considering he featured in 22 of his 27 appearances. Along the way, the midfielder garnered two assists, 16 shots (five on target) and 79 crosses (20 accurate) and should continue to push the attack looking ahead to next year.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jhon Cordoba - On pitch Thursday Cordoba (ankle) played the second half of Thursday's preseason friendly against Schwarz-Rot Neustadt.

Impact Cordoba missed the final three matches of the 2020-21 season due to his ankle problem but appears to be ramping up for the start of the upcoming campaign. When fit, the forward started 17 of his 21 appearances this season in which he garnered seven goals on 48 shots (18 on target), one assist and 24 chances created. Cordoba figures to be a key figure in the Hertha attack this season, making him a solid fantasy option.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE