Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Hertha BSC
The Bluebirds continue the pre-season tour of Austria by taking on 2. Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin on Thursday 25th July.
The fixture will take place in the Koasastadion in St. Johann in Tirol, with a kick-off time of 6pm local time (5pm in Cardiff).
Tickets can be purchased with cash only on the gate, costing €12 for adults and €6 for U16s.
Supporters in the UK can watch live coverage on Cardiff City TV, with Match Passes on sale now. Click here for more information.
![Hertha BSC](https://cdn.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-07/in-the-dugout.jpg)
Opposition focus | In the dugout
The man in the technical area for Hertha is the recently appointed Cristian Fiél.
The former midfielder made over 300 appearances for German sides such as Union Berlin, VFL Bochum and Dynamo Dresden before turning to management.
Since then, he has managed at both Dynamo Dresden and 1. FC Nurnberg, prior to being appointed at Hertha BSC.
![Hertha BSC](https://cdn.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-07/last-season_0.jpg)
Opposition focus | Last Season
Hertha played the 2023/24 season in the 2. Bundesliga for the first time in 11 years. A ninth place finish was a foundation for the Berlin side to build on as they hope to return to Germany's top division in 2024/25.
Die Alte Dame also put together an impressive cup run, reaching the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal, before being beaten by eventual finalists FC Kaiserslauten 3-1.
![Hertha BSC](https://cdn.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-07/summer-business_0.jpg)
Opposition focus | Summer business
The two-time Bundesliga champions have been adding to their squad to create what they hope to be a strong bid to return to Germany's top league.
Five players have thus far joined Hertha's ranks including 32-year-old experienced midfielder Diego Demme, who joins from Italian giants SSC Napoli on a free transfer. Born in Herford, Germany, Demme joined the Italian side in 2020, where he made 67 league appearances.
Michaël Cuisance (pictured) was signed by Hertha for an undisclosed fee from Serie A side Venezia, furthering their midfield options.
Kevin Sessa also joins the side from Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim after a successful season, in which he managed to secure his team European football for the first time in its history.
Forward Luca Schuler and goalkeeper Dennis Smarsch are also among the new recruits, joining on free deals from 1. FC Magdeburg and MSV Duisburg respectively.
![Hertha BSC](https://cdn.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-07/one-to-watch.jpg)
Opposition focus | One to watch
Bosnian striker Haris Tabaković had an impressive goalscoring year after joining Hertha at the start of 2023/24, scoring 22 league goals.
Prior to his move to Germany, the attacker had previously impressed for the likes of Debrecen, Austria Lustenau and Austria Wien.
His form for the Berlin side saw him finish joint top of the golden boot rankings in the German second tier last season.
Tabaković also has experience at international level, having represented Switzerland at youth level, before switching to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who he has made two appearances for.