Croatia international Josip Brekalo is back in Germany, after his loan move from LaLiga outfit Real Oviedo to 2. Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin in January, and now wants to help the capital club back to ‘where they belong’ – the Bundesliga.
The 27-year-old has had a nomadic career so far, playing across Europe in Italy, Spain and Germany as well as Croatia, and now at Hertha, he is with his ninth professional club in 11 years.
It is in Germany where he has played the most, making 160 appearances for Wolfsburg, playing for Stuttgart, and now Hertha, and he is pleased to have made the return.
Speaking to Flashscore‘s KreĆĄimir KaraÄiÄ, he said: “I’m really happy to be back in Germany, especially as I’ll be playing for a cult club like Hertha Berlin.
“We’re fighting until the end of this season for our goal, which is definitely promotion to the top flight, the Bundesliga, because that’s clearly where Hertha belongs. I’ve come here to achieve that together with this team.”
Brekalo has made plenty of moves in his career, both permanent transfers and loan moves. Despite uprooting his life numerous times, the overriding feeling for the winger is always one of excitement.
He explained: “Over the last two or three seasons, there have indeed been a lot of loan spells, and it’s not easy for a player in that position to maintain consistency and reach proper form, but I’m convinced that at Hertha this can change and that together we will be successful.
“My personal experience every time I changed clubs was one of great anticipation and enthusiasm, because you know, a new opportunity, a new chance, a new audience is on the horizon. And this time it was the same, but given that I spent many years in Germany, I know what sort of environment I’m coming into; I know what Hertha Berlin is like. I’m really happy and excited about what lies ahead⊔
Oviedo have the quality to stay up
Before his move to the 2. Bundesliga, Brekalo was with Real Oviedo after a summer move from Fiorentina to the newly-promoted LaLiga side.
It was a short stint, and one with challenges, with Oviedo at the bottom of the standings and fighting for survival after two decades away from the top flight.
The Croatian winger added: “My time at Oviedo ended a little earlier than we had all expected. Unfortunately, it was a very tough season for the club and for me; in a short space of time, we went through three managers, so there was no stability and no results, and for those reasons, I moved to Hertha Berlin, hoping to be much more successful here.
“As for Santi Cazorla, he is not only an Oviedo legend but also a legend of Spanish football. It was an absolute honour to share a dressing room with him, to play alongside him and train with him.
“Seeing him at that age still approach matches and training with such enthusiasm and love for football – that’s something I’ll definitely remember from Oviedo.
“Oviedo certainly have the quality to stay in the league; it’s all in their hands. I’m convinced they have what it takes to overturn this deficit, and I wholeheartedly wish them success.”
World Cup dreams with Croatia
It is also a big year on the international stage. The World Cup is just months away, and Brekalo has one eye on it as his nation look to continue their great form on the biggest stage.
In 2018, they reached the final, whilst in 2022, they finished third, and in 2023, they were runners-up in the Nations League.
Brekalo was part of that Nations League squad and just missed out on the World Cup squad in 2022.
Despite not playing for the national side in the last three years, Brekalo still harbours ambitions to make it back into the fold.
Speaking about his time with the national team, he said: “I’m particularly proud of those 35 caps for the national team; that’s definitely something every footballer aspires to. It also means you have the quality to be your country’s international (representative).
“I think I’m still young enough in football to harbour those hopes, and I want to play for the national team again and compete in major football tournaments.Â
“The motivation is huge to be part of the squad at major tournaments, because the atmosphere is incredible, something special. The support from the entire nation is amazing, and I really hope that with my performances I’ll earn another call-up to the national team.”
