The German press hailed Hertha Berlin and USA defender John Brooks for his performance in Hertha’s 1-0 win against Bundesliga giant Borussia Dortmund last Saturday. While kickermagazine named the 21-year-old to its Team of the Weekend, in addition to choosing him as Man of the Match, the Berliner Kurier newspaper said: “For 94 minutes, [Brooks] showed all his class,his full potential — world class. Is this the real John Brooks now?”
Hertha coach Jos Luhukay was also suitably impressed with the performance. “John played his best match of 2014. Hewas always there when it got dangerous in our box, no matter whether the ball came flying in high or was passed in low,” the Dutchman said. “That was the Brooks I have always wished for. I amdelighted for him. I have had my battles with him, but we have always been honest with each other, and that’s why I am just delighted.”
The German-American endured a difficult start to life inthe Bundesliga last season, dropping down the pecking order at Hertha after starring in their promotion-winning campaign two years ago, but injury problems in the club’s defensive ranks handedhim a fresh chance in mid-November, which he seems to be taking.
“That was a perfect match for us,” Brooks said after the win, which dumped Dortmund back into the relegation zone. “It’sdifficult to say whether this was my best Hertha match to date. But I felt fine, and after the first tackles I knew that it would turn out to be a good day.” He added: “I think that I havematured. I step on the gas every day to get more games from the coach. I try to go without a mistake for 90 minutes and to be focused, and I think I’ve done a good job recently.”