Unbeaten in five of their last six Bundesliga games, with a place in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League as well. "I'm optimistic that we'll be able to carry over the positive trend from the last few weeks into our upcoming games," said head coach Edin Terzic, whose side are next in action when they play host to Hertha BSC on Saturday evening (kick-off 18:30 CET).

On Tuesday evening, BVB played out an exhilarating and hard-fought 2-2 draw (first leg: 3-2 win) with Sevilla to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and cement their place among the best eight teams in the competition. With their work on the international stage done for the time being, the Black & Yellows will switch their focus back to the Bundesliga. "If we're to experience memorable matches like this one next season, we'll need to use our games in the Bundesliga as qualifiers," explained Terzic, adding: "The priority is to reach fourth place in the Bundesliga. We'll put everything on the line to ensure we take the three points against Hertha." Borussia currently occupy sixth spot in the table and trail fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt by four points.

Opponents Hertha BSC managed to beat FC Augsburg last weekend, but had failed to win any of their previous nine league games. The team are currently languishing in 15th spot and are only two points above the relegation play-off place. "They're not where they belong. There have been lots of unlucky moments in their recent matches. They were often close and had opportunities," Terzic observed, adding: "They have a very good squad and in Pal Dardai, they have a coach who knows the team very well, sets them up very well and stands for intense and aggressive football." Terzic lauded Hertha's physicality up front, their tempo on the flanks and their creativity in the centre. "They have lots of the attributes you need to be successful. We must operate under the assumption that they will perform to their best and so we will also have to perform to our best." BVB turned around a 1-0 deficit in the reverse fixture to run out 5-2 victors. Erling Haaland (four) and Raphael Guerreiro were the scorers for the Black & Yellows that day in November.

Whether the likes of Guerreiro and Giovanni Reyna will be available for the return fixture remains to be seen. Terzic said: "They're making progress. We'll need to see tomorrow whether we can include them in the squad." Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji has stepped up his training regime and is expected to make a partial return to team training on Friday. This weekend's fixture will still come too soon for him, however.
Christina Reinke

BVB TV by 1&1: Hertha BSC pre-match press conference