Three massive points at home to Hoffenheim!
The first game under Felix Magath, which was led by assistant Mark Fotheringham on the sideline as Magath tested positive for Covid-19 in the week, saw a new 4-1-4-1 formation on the pitch, with four changes. Alexander Schwolow returned between the sticks, with captain Dedryck Boyata in front of him in defence, replacing Linus Gechter who started on the bench. Suat Serdar and Marco Richter came in for the Covid-positive Vladimír Darida and Davie Selke, who was named as a substitute. For the first time this season and only the second time in his career, U23s striker Marten Winkler was in the Bundesliga squad.
High pressing effective early on
The 25,000 fans in a sun-drenched Olympiastadion saw the Blue-Whites jump onto the front foot from the first whistle. A Marvin Plattenhardt free-kick was headed towards goal by Niklas Stark on five minutes, but Oliver Baumann was able to parry. The home side really caused Hoffenheim problems early on, with a high defensive line and as many as four players in the opposition penalty area at points. This pressing led to Hertha winning the ball back high up the pitch a lot, one of these occasions putting Richter through on goal, but his attempt was wide (8’). Ishak Belfodil also came close from a Peter Pekarík cross, but failed to get enough power behind his header (12’). Stark then tested Baumann from range a minute later. The opening stages of the game definitely belonged to Hertha – yet another ball won back from Lucas Tousart landed at the feet of Belfodil, who shot over (18’). As the half went on, the away side started to challenge Schwolow more, but a long ball from Kevin Akpoguma was latched onto and then skied by Jacob Bruun Larsen, one-on-one with our goalkeeper (25’). Hertha kept at it though, with Richter coming through and shooting at Baumann three minutes later. Sebastian Hoeneß’ side started to take the upper hand in this stage, but Boyata and Co. stood firm, and the fantastic first-half performance was rewarded with five minutes to go: A Plattenhardt free-kick was headed home by Stark for the opener and pure jubilation at the Olympiastadion (39’). The celebrations were temporarily cut short by the linesman’s flag, but the VAR intervened and deservedly gave Stark his goal (41’). Half time came with Hertha in front and more than good value for their lead.
Plattenhardt’s deliveries on the money time and again
The first chance of the second half, which started without any substitutions, belonged to Hoffenheim: David Raum powered a free-kick just wide to the right on 49 minutes. As the half grew on, the tackles started flying in, with both Pekarík and Akpoguma receiving yellow cards (50’, 57’). The fans recognised the intensity of the game and raised their volume to get behind the team, which worked wonders. Plattenhardt sent yet another dangerous free-kick into the penalty area, where Marc Kempf flicked it on brilliantly for Belfodil to tap the ball over the line – 2-0 (63’)! It got even better not long after, and our number 21 was involved again: Plattenhardt crossed one more set-piece into the area, where Boyata laid the ball on for Tousart, whose shot trickled in and sent the Blue-Whites into dreamland (74’)! That was all she wrote, as the fans carried their players over the line to keep a clean sheet and secure a more-than-deserved first win since December. What a feeling!
Hertha BSC: Schwolow; Pekarík, Boyata (C), Kempf, Plattenhardt; Serdar (68’ Mittelstädt), Ascacíbar (90’ Gechter), Stark, Tousart (90’ Dárdai), Richter (81’ Kade); Belfodil (81’ Selke)
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann; Akpoguma, Posch, Vogt, Raum (88‘ John); Geiger (62‘ Dabbur), Stiller; Baumgartner (88‘ Nordtveit), Kramarić, Bruun Larsen; Rutter
Goals: 1-0 Stark (39’), 2-0 Belfodil (63’), 3-0 Tousart (74’)
Referee: Daniel Schlager
Yellow cards: Pekarík; Akpoguma
Attendance: 25,000