"So close to getting a win"

Sometimes talking post-match is about finding words when words are hard to find. This was the case after the game on Friday night against Mainz, as Hertha conceded late in injury time to draw the game 1-1. But, despite the finish to the game, all in all it was not too bad a performance. “We were so close to getting a win. In games like these we have to keep competing in challenges right until the end of the game so that the second balls do not fall to our opponent,” stated Jean-Paul Boëtius. Marvin Plattenhardt, meanwhile, explained his disappointment: “The late equaliser is obviously extremely hard to take. We didn’t have a hold of the game in the second half and lost the ball a lot when playing it forward.” herthabsc.com has summarised the initial reaction to the game against Mainz.

Marvin Plattenhardt: The late equaliser is obviously extremely hard to take. We didn’t have a hold of the game in the second half and lost the ball a lot when playing it forward. Mainz built pressure and we were not able to prevent an equaliser. The bottom line is that it’s two points dropped. We already could have picked up three points against Leverkusen had the possible penalty being given. These are the little things that are currently going against us. Six points after seven games is clearly too few. But we have to stay positive! On my foul: The ball bounced in front of me and I was going for the ball. It was not my intention to hurt the player – and I am not known for making bad tackles, so I’m sorry about that.

Jean-Paul Boëtius: Maybe we were too nervous after the break. We didn’t play enough with the ball and just played long passes. However, we were so close to getting a win. In games like these we have to keep competing in challenges right until the end of the game so that the second balls do not fall to our opponent. That was our error. If we had done that better, we would be travelling home with the three points. Obviously, it was nice to be back in Mainz again. I know a lot of people here, but now I am a Hertha BSC player and am very happy in Berlin.

Marc Kempf: Unfortunately, I picked up a knock near the beginning of the game. Throughout the game it was getting more painful – it quickly became clear that I would have to come off at half-time. In the second half, we created hardly any chances to score. There was not enough in attack to further extend the lead. After that, we tried to accept the way Mainz were playing and dig in deep defensively, and until the last few minutes we defended really well, so it is even more disappointing to be only going home with one point. We have to work on being consistent right up until the last second, then we will be able to get the three points over the line.