A defeat to start

Hertha enjoyed a dream start in Cologne! Cunha headed a Marvin Plattenhardt free-kick towards goal, which was parried by Timo Horn. Our new number 10, Stevan Jovetić, was in the right place to tap the rebound into an empty net (5’). Five minutes later, Suat Serdar tested out Horn with a powerful strike that he was able to beat away.  Dárdai’s side continued to press for a second goal, and chances continue to follow. After a quarter of an hour, Cunha cleared the bar after Ascacíbar’s initial shot was blocked. At the other end, Niklas Stark almost gifted Köln a goal, but, together with Alexander Schwolow, helped to deny Mark Uth (18’). In an eventful first half, Hertha had a big shout for a penalty. Köln’s Czichos appeared to handle the ball in the box, however after referee Robert Hartmann went to VAR, no penalty was given. Horn was again on hand after 26 minutes, tipping a Jovetić drive wide. With Hertha looking fairly comfortable heading into half time, the hosts levelled the game. Anthony Modeste headed home from a cross, despite strong appeals for a foul after he pushed Marton Dárdai before heading it (41’).

Two quick Köln goals

Schwolow was right in the thick of the action at the start of the second half, keeping out Ellyes Skhiri’s shot from close range (48’). Shortly afterwards, though, he was helpless. He managed to keep Modeste’s deflected out of the goal, however Florian Kainz was at the back post to convert and put Köln ahead (52’). Things then went from bad to worse for the ‘Old Lady’. Just 209 seconds after his first, Florian Kainz scored again (55’). Dárdai reacted by bringing on Deyovaisio Zeefuik and Lukas Klünter for Prince Boateng and Pekarík (58’). He followed this double change with another one. This time, Marco Richter and Lukébakio replaced Cunha and Jovetić (65’). Despite being two goals behind, Hertha continued to fight. A Plattenhardt free-kick narrowly went over (68’), while Serdar (76’) and Lukébakio (78’) had shots blocked. The Belgian then headed over from a Klünter cross (79’). Dárdai’s men were celebrating briefly with nine minutes to play after Santiago Ascacíbar had the ball in the back of the net. Unfortunately, he was narrowly offside and it finished 3-1 to the home team.

1. FC Köln: Horn – Schmitz (84' Ehizibue), Hübers, Czichos, Hector (C) – Ljubicic (75' Schaub), Skhiri, Uth (68' Duda), Kainz (75' Özcan) - Thielmann, Modeste (75' Andersson)

Hertha BSC: Schwolow – Pekarík (58' Klünter), Stark (C), Dárdai, Plattenhardt - Tousart, Prince (58' Zeefuik), Ascacíbar - Serdar, Cunha (65' Lukébakio), Jovetić (65' Richter)

Goals: 0-1 Jovetić (5'), 1-1 Modeste (41'), 2-1 Kainz (52'), 3-1 Kainz (55')

Referee: Robert Hartmann

Yellow cards: Hübers, Czichos, Thielmann, Skhiri – Plattenhardt, Serdar

Attendance: 16,500