Narrow defeat in Düsseldorf in season opener

Head coach Pál Dárdai handed competitive debuts to summer signings Toni Leistner, Jeremy Dudziak and Fabian Reese, with the former two lining up in defence alongside Deyovaisio Zeefuik and Marc Kempf. Oliver Christensen began in goal, with Marco Richter, Reese and Marten Winkler in attack. Pascal Klemens and Márton Dárdai started in defensive midfield, with Florian Niederlechner leading the line.

Winkler forced off early on

The Old Lady didn’t record many clear-cut chances in the first half, and were forced into an early change after Winkler rolled his ankle and was replaced by Palkó Dárdai (30’). Neither side managed to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes.

Düsseldorf score after the break

The hosts would take the lead after the change of ends, as Daniel Ginczek headed in a cross from Matthias Zimmermann (51’). Hertha looked to equalise, but had several shots well-saved by the Fortuna goalkeeper.

The Old Lady will be back in action on Friday (4/8, 18:30 CEST) as they host SV Wehen Wiesbaden in their first home game of the new season.

Fortuna Düsseldorf: Kastenmeier – Zimmermann (85' Niemiec), Hoffmann (C), de Wijs (61' Siebert)., Gavory - Sobottka, Tanaka, Klaus (85' Uchino), Appelkamp, Iyoha (69' Engelhardt) – Ginczek (69' Vermeij)

Hertha BSC: Christensen – Zeefuik, Leistner, Kempf, Dudziak – Klemens (79' B. Dárdai), M. Dárdai – Winkler (30' P. Dárdai), Richter (C), Reese – Niederlechner (68' Scherhant)

Goals: 1-0 Ginczek (51')

Referee: Christian Dingert

Yellow cards: Sobottka, Uchino – Niederlechner, Richter

Attendance: 40,466