Opening day defeat in Köpenick
Sandro Schwarz made one change from the eleven that started against Braunschweig in the cup, with Filip Uremović replacing Dedryck Boyata at center-back and making his Bundesliga debut in the process.
In a high tempo opening to the game Hertha held firm, with new signing Uremović twice making important blocks (3’, 13’). At the other end, there was unfortunately no one on the end of two freekicks by Marvin Plattenhardt (5’, 6’). The game then developed into a typical derby with strong challenges in the middle of the park and a constant struggle to progress the ball up the pitch. Clear goal scoring opportunities for either side were few and far between. Oliver Christensen made an acrobatic save to a shot outside the box by Julian Ryerson (27’). Hertha’s number 1 was beaten 4 minutes later, though, with Siebatcheu rising to meet Sheraldo Becker’s cross at the near post to head Union into the lead (31’). Frederik Rønnow then easily saved a Plattenhardt freekick from the edge of the box (36’), before Ryerson fired narrowly wide at the other end in the last notable action of the first half (38’).
Double strike after the break
Christensen was again called into action only a few seconds after the break to save a Siebatcheu header (46’). Union remained on top and furthered their lead through Becker, who ran onto a through ball past the Hertha backline before making it 2-0 (50’). Robin Knoche added another with a header from a corner which was given after a VAR check (54‘).
Schwarz reacted by bringing on Stevan Jovetić, Chidera Ejuke and Wildfried Kanga for his debut, replacing Myziane Maolida, Davie Selke and Prince Boateng (56’). Kanga made an immediate impact with a shot from inside the box four minutes later, but it was saved by Rønnow (60’). Kanga was in the action once again, involved in a one-two with Jovetic, who was unable to get a shot off (75’). The effort from Hertha cannot be faulted, and Dodi Lukébakio scored a consolation goal after interplay with Jovetic, with a precise finish into the far corner (85’). After 3 minutes of additional time the game finished 3-1.
This coming Saturday (13.08.22, at 15:30 CEST), Hertha play Eintracht Frankfurt at the Olympiastadion in their first home game of the season.
1. FC Union: Rønnow – Jaeckel, Knoche, Leite – Trimmel (C), Khedira, Haberer (70’ Schäfer), Haraguchi (77‘ Pantović), Ryerson (64‘ Gießelmann) – Becker (70‘ Leweling), Siebatcheu (77‘ Behrens)
Hertha BSC: Christensen – Kenny, Uremović, Kempf, Plattenhardt (C) – Šunjić (80‘ Darida), Serdar, Boateng (56‘ Ejuke) – Myziane (56‘ Jovetić), Selke (57‘ Kanga), Lukébakio
Goals: 1-0 Siebatcheu (31‘), 2-0 Becker (50‘), 3-0 Knoche (54‘), 3-1 Lukébakio (85‘)
Referee: Marco Fritz
Yellow cards: Knoche, Leweling - Uremović, Sunjić, Lukébakio
Attendance: 22,012