7-1 win in second friendly of the day

After a 3-0 win against Club de Lyon, Hertha BSC were also triumphant in their second friendly of the day against The Villages SC, which they won 7-1. Head coach Sandro Schwarz went with a 4-2-3-1 formation for the second match of the day, with Tjark Ernst in goal and captain Peter Pekarík, Agustín Rogel, Marc Kempf and Maximilian Mittelstädt in defence. Ivan Šunjić and Jean-Paul Boëtius lined up in defensive midfield, while Marco Richter, Stevan Jovetić and Chidera Ejuke were in attack. Wilfried Kanga was the lone striker up top.

Turning the game after early setback

Our Blue-Whites were hit with an early setback as Lucas Mauro scored from range to put The Villages ahead (12’). It didn’t take long for the Old Lady to equalise, as Jovetić’s cross was met at the far post by Kanga (19’). Our boys began to control the game in the minutes that followed, as Jovetić tapped in to make it 2-1 just seven minutes later. The goals kept coming, as Pekarík found Kanga, with the striker notching his second of the day (36’). As the half-time whistle blew, Hertha headed into the dressing room with a comfortable 3-1 lead.

Four goals in the second half

Schwarz brought on Derry Scherhant at the break as Ejuke had picked up a knock. Hertha continued to look to attack often, and were rewarded with a stunning strike to make it 4-1. Mittelstädt sent Richter through on goal, as he played the ball past the goalkeeper before finishing from a tight angle (59’). He then added another goal to his tally just six minutes later. Mittelstädt would pick up another assist as he helped Kanga complete his hat-trick in the 77th minute, with Šunjić netting in the final minute of play to make it 7-1. “Today, we could clearly see the way that we want to play football. The team did well at integrating things that we have been working on in training, such as playing with pace and using long ball. Of course we’re happy that our attackers were able to set up and score goals,” said Schwarz afterwards.

Hertha BSC: Ernst – Pekarík (C), Rogel, Kempf, Mittelstädt – Šunjić, Boëtius – Ejuke (46’ Scherhant), Jovetić (60' Klemens), Richter – Kanga

Goals: 0-1 Mauro (12’), 1-1 Kanga (19’), 2-1 Jovetić (26’), 3-1 Kanga (36’), 4-1 Richter (59’), 5-1 Richter (65’), 6-1 Kanga (77’), 7-1 Šunjić (90’)

Referee: Gabriele Giusti

Yellow cards: Šunjić

Location: IMG Academy