Boateng to be honoured in Berlin

Jérôme Boateng will honoured on the pitch at Berlin Olympic Stadium prior to Saturday’s Bundesliga meeting between FC Bayern and Hertha BSC. The Berlin-born defender, who made his German top flight debut for Hertha, will be personally honoured for his role in Germany’s World Cup-winning campaign in Brazil last summer. “He learned the trade with Hertha and came all the way up through our academy,” commented Berlin general manager Michael Preetz. “The lad has his roots here. His development track has been unbelievable,” Preetz continued.

Six straight wins

FCB have won their last six Bundesliga meetings with Hertha BSC, and have lost only one of their last 21 matches against the men from the capital (15 wins, five draws). The teams have crossed swords 58 times in the German elite division, with the nation’s most successful club winning 33 and losing nine. Sixteen matches ended in a stalemate.

Dingert named referee

Christian Dingert will referee Saturday’s match in Berlin. The 34-year-old civil administrator from Lebecksmühle takes charge of a match involving the Reds for the second time this term: he previously officiated at Bayern’s goalless draw away to Hamburger SV. Dingert’s assistants are Tobias Christ and Arne Aarnink, with Bastian Dankert as the fourth official.