Cristian Fiél talks for more than twelve minutes after Hertha BSC's 1:0 test win against NEC Nijmegen about the state of preparation, positioning and energy consumption. The coach of the second-division soccer club responded to the fan's interjection, "Next year, promotion, right?", with a quick-witted response. "Absolutely!".
However, what really upset the Berliners was not taking place in the Silberstadt Arena in Schwaz in Tyrol, but hundreds of kilometers to the north, between Cottbus and the Charité.
From the Berlin hospital, Hertha's star player Fabian Reese sent an emotional social media statement for more sportsmanship and fairness, against crude hatred and hostility following his serious ankle injury. The third-division soccer club FC Energie, which was directly criticized, did not leave this unanswered, accusing Reese of making a false claim and calling for a "reasonable balance between objectivity and emotionality".
The club did not de-escalate the situation. One thing is certain: The relationship between the two clubs and especially Reese's relationship with Energie can be described as shattered after Filip Kusic's rude and momentous foul. Reese, Hertha's difference-maker, million-dollar fist and emotional leader, will be out for weeks after his foot operation. That's the medical fact.
