Ngankam goal and Lukébakio assists

Three games, two wins, two assists and one goal! From a Hertha perspective, the international games on Friday evening were highly successful – above all for Jessic Ngankam. Hertha’s number 24, like Derry Scherhant just two days ago, celebrated a debut. Having appeared for the Germany U17 and U18 teams, the Berlin-born forward pulled on a Germany U21 shirt for the first time for the 2-2 draw in a friendly against Japan. But that was not all, the centre-forward also manage to successfully cap off his first start with a first goal.

“I did what I always do”

Shortly before half time, the Hertha player had initially won a penalty through a good piece of individual play, and he then stepped up confidently to put Germany 1-0 up. This was not the only exciting moment from the attacker, who played 72 minutes and was praised by his coach Antonio Di Salvo: “Jessic delivered a good performance. We are happy to have the type of player that he is.” Ngankam himself approached what was a special game for him as he would any else. “I did what I always do: Play just like I do on the five-a-side pitches,” explained the 22-year-old, who continued: “It was a good test which we would have liked to have won.” The next opportunity to pick up a win for the Germany U21s takes place this Tuesday (28.03.23, 18:00 CET) with another friendly, this time in Romania.

Lukébakio and Lukaku give Tedesco a successful first game

Dodi Lukébakio also celebrated a first of sorts, picking up his first couple of assists in his sixth game for Belgium during their comfortable 3-0 win over Sweden. Hertha’s number 14 twice assisted Romelu Lukaku, who scored all three goals for the ‘Red Devils’, shortly before and after half time. This meant a perfect start to life as Belgium head coach for Domenico Tedesco as well as to European Championship qualification. The next task facing the attacker and his teammates will be on Tuesday (20:45 CET) in a friendly against Germany.

Winning goal after Jovetić subbed on

Stevan Jovetić was also able to celebrate a win. Hertha’s number 19 helped Montenegro, in the same competition but in a different group, to a 1-0 win away in Bulgaria. The winning goal took place after Jovetić had been subbed on at the beginning of the second half. The next game for the 33-year-old and his international teammates will be on Monday (27.03.23, 20:45 CET) at home in Podgorica against Serbia.