"We have to pick ourselves up again"

There is no greater contrast than the scenes late on Saturday afternoon at the Olympiastadion. While the away fans and players wearing red were celebrating, there was only disappointment in the Blue-Whites camp after a 2-0 defeat to 1. FC Union. “The bottom line is that it is another defeat at home, which is frustrating and disappointing. We had good moments going forward – but either the final ball wasn’t perfect, there was a leg in the way, or the goalkeeper made a good save, there was always something. We have to work hard to get that slice of luck again, pick ourselves up, score goals and win games,” suggested Marco Richter. herthabsc.com has summarised the immediate reaction to the game.

Marco Richter: We went into the game feeling good, the goal we conceded shortly before half time obviously didn’t go as we wanted. Nevertheless, we knew that something like that could happen. It was good, I think, to recognise that we wanted to come back, that we could fight, run and hold our own against the team second in the table. But unfortunately, we lost the decisive duels and conceded the second goal after that. Then we had our backs to the wall a bit and it became even harder. The bottom line is that it is another defeat at home, which is frustrating and disappointing. We had good moments going forward – but either the final ball wasn’t perfect, there was a leg in the way, or the goalkeeper made a good save, there was always something. We have to work hard to get that slice of luck, pick ourselves up again, score goals and win games.

Marvin Plattenhardt: It’s not a great feeling right now. We conceded a rubbish goal from a set piece again, after that the game went against us a bit. The penalty that we didn’t get, would have possible been a game-changing moment. So to then conceded a goal for 2-0 on the counter is very frustrating. But it is of no use getting worked up about it. All in all, we raised our level and can build on this performance – even if the second half wasn’t as tight-fought. Now, we have to focus as a team, then we’ll get out of this position in the next few weeks! What gives me hope is what I see from the boys in the dressing room. We have worked through the last few games, trained hard and already shown this season that we have real quality in this team.

Oliver Christensen: We wanted to go out there and win challenges, which we managed to do. The difference was that Union had two chances and scored two goals, while we had chances but failed to score. We were bad against Wolfsburg, but had the right intensity this time around. We gave everything, it just wasn’t enough. We have to improve from set pieces, no question about that. We definitely have enough quality, but we’re not showing that at the moment. The fans are not pleased, we’re not pleased, but who is after three defeats? We are in the part of the season where everything is difficult. That’s exactly why we have to stick together, have confidence in ourselves and do everything to get moving in the right direction.