Six goals and a debut for Kempf
Tayfun Korkut gave new signing Marc Oliver Kempf a start at the first available opportunity, with Poland U21 goalkeeper Marcel Lotka taking the place of Alexander Schwolow between the sticks for Hertha’s friendly against Lech Poznan on Friday afternoon; our regular number 1 had already trained with goalkeeping coach Andreas Menger in the morning. Alongside “Schwolli”, Oliver Christensen (thigh problems), Nils Körber (bruised knee), Maximilian Mittelstädt and Myziane Maolida (both rested) all missed out. Davie Selke trained individually today after testing negative and undergoing cardiological tests.
Poznan strike twice early: Jovetić active, Darida scores
The Hans-Braun-Stadion saw the away side get the better start, João Amaral giving Lech the lead on six minutes following a ball into the area – Lotka was left without a chance. Five minutes later, Jakub Kamiński brought the ball in from the left and smashed an effort in off the far post post to double Lech’s advantage (11’). Following these early goals, Hertha looked for a rapid reply: Away goalkeeper van der Hart parried well with his feet from Stevan Jovetić on 14 minutes, before the Montenegrin flashed a shot just wide shortly afterwards (21’). Vladimír Darida halved the deficit on 32 minutes, the Czech’s effort flying into the net. The half ended with Poznan 2-1 to the good.
Eight changes at the break
Tayfun Korkut made a total of eight changes to start the second half, only Lotka, Marco Richter and Jovetić remaining on the pitch. The first chances of the half came to the Blue-Whites, through our number 19 (50’), Márton Dárdai (58’) and Richter (61’), but none were converted. Dedryck Boyata got injured in the process of conceding a penalty, which Amaral dispatched to give Poznan their two goal advantage back on 66 minutes. The Portuguese looked to secure his hat trick, but his well-worked free-kick crashed off the crossbar – Antonio Milić scored Lech’s fourth (73’). Linus Gechter headed a Richter free-kick home to score his first professional goal and make the score 4-2 on 80 minutes. There were several chances for the Blue-Whites to reduce the arrears further, but they were not taken, not least because Serdar’s goal to make it 4-3 was ruled out for offside (89’).
“The bottom line is we conceded too many goals, but I’m taking some lessons from this game and many players like Jovetić, Kempf and Bjørkan have got some important match minutes. Those are all important factors for our work in the upcoming weeks,” head coach Korkut said, evaluating the game after full time.
Hertha BSC (first half): Lotka; Pekarík, Stark, Kempf, Plattenhardt; Richter, Darida, Ascacíbar, Ekkelenkamp; Belfodil, Jovetić
Hertha BSC (second half): Lotka; Klünter, Gechter, Boyata (76‘ Gayret), Bjørkan; Tousart, Dárdai; Richter, Prince, Serdar; Jovetić (61’ Kade)
Goals: 0-1 Amaral (6‘), 0-2 Kamiński (11‘), 1-2 Darida (32‘), 1-3 Amaral (66‘, Pen), 1-4 Milić (73‘), 2-4 Gechter (80‘)
Yellow cards: Ascacíbar, Jovetić, Kempf
Venue: Hanns-Braun-Stadion, Berlin