Narrow home defeat against Dortmund
Sandro Schwarz made three changes to the team who narrowly lost to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Márton Dárdai replaced the suspended Filip Uremović in central defence, while Marvin Plattenhardt also rejoined the back four, with Maximilian Mittelstädt dropping to the bench. In midfield, Jean-Paul Boëtius started for Hertha for the first time, replacing Ivan Šunjić. Former Hertha player Marius Wolf started for the visitors.
Kenny’s early shot – Modeste puts BVB in front
The first chance of the game went the way of Hertha, with Jonjoe Kenny’s deflected drive after a lay-off from Chidera Ejuke being saved at full-stretch by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (4’). In the following period, BVB had more of the possession, while Hertha won more duels. With fifteen minutes gone, the visitors looked dangerous for the first time, with another deflected effort, this time from Reus, deflecting onto the crossbar. Moments later Oliver Christensen was called into action to save from Julian Brandt (18’), before Salih Özcan struck the post from a corner (20’). A dangerous counter for Hertha came to nothing after Dodi Lukébakio was crowded out (21’). At the other end, Christensen got down well once again, this time to deny Modeste (22’). Three minutes later he was powerless as Modeste once again found himself through, but the Frenchman could only fire wide (25’). The attacker managed to score at the third time of asking though, heading a cross from Özcan into the far corner (32’). Hertha were unable to find an answer and went into half-time 1-0 down.
Richter hits the post on his comeback
Hertha began the second half energetically, Wilfried Kanga was just unable to get onto a chipped ball through (50‘), and Lukébakio’s shot from distance was blocked by the Dortmund defence (51’). Defensively, Hertha needed to be alert though, because Dortmund continued to provide a threat in attack. Sandro Schwarz decided to strengthen the attack, bringing on Stevan Jovetić for Boëtius (55’). Christensen made another good save moments later against Karim Adeyemi, before Ejuke fired over from the edge of the box on the left-hand side (60’), and Tousart couldn’t divert a Plattenhardt corner towards goal (63’). The Blue-Whites stayed in the game, with substitute Jovetić forcing an excellent save from Kobel to turn the ball over in the 68th minute, before Bellingham’s effort was cleared off the line by Kempf (72’). The head coach reacted once again, bringing on Prince Boateng as well as Marco Richter for his comeback, appearing on the pitch for the first time since his testicular cancer diagnosis. Hertha’s number 23 almost made an immediate impact, cracking a long ranged effort against the crossbar (79’). Schwarz continued to make attacking changes, bringing on Davie Selke. This courage went unrewarded. Kenny shot from range in the 84th minute, but it sailed well over, and the chance to equalise had eluded Hertha.
Hertha next have a chance to pick up points in the Bundesliga on matchday 5 against FC Augsburg (04.09.22, 15:30 CEST).
Hertha BSC: Christensen – Kenny, Kempf (80‘ Selke), Dárdai, Plattenhardt (C) – Tousart, Serdar (75‘ Prince), Boëtius (55‘ Jovetić) – Lukébakio (75‘ Richter), Kanga, Ejuke
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel – Wolf (67‘ Meunier), Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro (86‘ Süle) – Özcan, Bellingham, Brandt, Reus (C), Adeyemi (61‘ Bynoe-Gittens) – Modeste (86‘ Hazard)
Goals: 0-1 Modeste (32‘)
Referee: Tobias Stieler
Yellow cards: Richter
Attendance: 62,342