Second win in second friendly

Hertha gave a successful debut to the new home kit on the road at Babelsberger Park. Marvin Plattenhardt’s corner created the first chance of the game in the 7th minute, but former Hertha man Luis Klatte prevented Davie Selke from finding the back of the net. However, the deadlock was broken two minutes later when Marco Richter received the ball form Vladimír Darida and cut in before firing a low left-footed shot into the back of the net. Goalkeeper Klatte was then on hand again to prevent Selke from doubling the lead after a quick counter attack which resulted in a dangerous cross from Jonjoe Kenny (16’). At the other end, N'gatie's had the ball in the back of the net but the goal was not awarded because of an offside call (18’). Five minutes later, Cakmak came close to equalising when his long-range effort struck the crossbar. The game calmed down after that, but Myziane Maolida (31’) and Filip Uremović (32’) forced Klatte into action again. A minute later, it was Hertha’s turn to have a goal ruled out for offside and Darida's strike was disallowed. Myziane then received a good ball from Prince but couldn’t convert the chance (39th) and the two sides went into the break with just a goal between them.

Jarstein makes return after 468 days

Similarly to the opening friendly against TuS Makkabi Berlin, head coach Sandro Schwarz made a complete change to the lineup for the second half. Rune Jarstein celebrated his comeback after 468 days. The first chance of the half fell to Marc Kempf, who headed just over after a corner from Javairô Dilrosun (53’). At the other end, Babelsberg’s Steinborn came close after winning the ball from Jarstein but was denied by the woodwork (58’). The next chances fell Hertha’s way. Luca Wollschläger narrowly missed the target after some good work from Dilrosun (63’), before Lucas Tousart’s lob went wide of an open goal (74’), Dodi Lukébakio then saw his efforts blocked by the Babelsberg defence (78’) and goalkeeper Flügel (82’). The ‘keeper was also on hand to deny Santiago Ascacíbar (82’) and Maximilian Mittelstädt (83’), and therefore hold the ‘Old Lady to just one goal.

Therefore, Sandro Schwarz’s side ran out 1-0 winners and secured their second win in as many pre-season games. “The boys have some intense training under their belts and were very committed in both halves today. We didn’t allow them much and created a lot of chances for ourselves. From a result point of view, we could have decided the game for ourselves earlier on, but there were some good things on show. At the end of the day it was a good show of willpower from the boys after the work they’ve been putting in in training,” said a satisfied Schwarz at full time. The next match comes next Friday away to FC Energie Cottbus (08.07.22, 19:00 CEST). The game will also be streamed live.

SV Babelsberg 03: Klatte (46' Flügel) – Sietan (46' Rausch) , Hoffmann (46' Reimann), Wilton, Fuchs – Danko (46' Wegener), Cakmak (69' Danko), Gencel (46' Gladrow) – N’gatie (46' Steinborn), Frahn (C), Iraqi (69' N‘gatie)

Hertha BSC (First half): Christensen – Kenny, Uremović, Torunarigha, Plattenhardt – Darida, Prince (C), Serdar, Myziane – Selke, Richter

Hertha BSC (Second half): Jarstein – Eitschberger, Gechter, Kempf, Ullrich – Tousart, Ascacíbar, Mittelstädt – Lukébakio, Wollschläger (69' Scherhant), Dilrosun

Goals: 0-1 Richter (9')

Referee: Andy Stolz

Attendance: 3,695