3-1 defeat in Nuremberg

For Sunday's away clash against 1. FC Nürnberg, Pál Dárdai opted to stick with an unchanged squad from the win against Schalke 04 two weeks ago. Martin Winkler, who extended his contract with the club this week, also made a return and started the game on the bench.

The Old Lady took an early lead after Zeefuik drove into the right-hand side of the penalty area and played in Smail Prevljak, who provided an impressive finish with his back-heel (15’).

Just before the break, referee Florian Exner pointed to the spot after having consulted with the VAR over a battle between Toni Leister and Jens Castrop. However, Hertha keeper Tjark Ernst saved Can Uzun’s strike with his outstretched legs to keep their lead intact.

After the change of ends, the hosts finally did find their equaliser, with Florian Flick scoring following a corner in the 57th minute.

Marc Kempf was then given a straight red for a professional foul, again after VAR intervention, putting Hertha down to ten men with 23 minutes left to play.

Luck continued to go against the Blue-Whites. Leistner slid in front of Benjamin Goller in an attempt to intercept a pass, but instead sent it flying into his own net to put Nürnberg 2-1 ahead (72’). Less than three minutes later, FCN’s Iván Márquez was also sent off, levelling the playing field once again.

Daichi Hayashi’s rebound later upped the hosts’ tally to three (84’), rounding off a tough away day for Hertha BSC on matchday 10.

Tjark Ernst: “We have to hold ourselves accountable. We deserved to lose today. Despite taking the lead, we allowed Nürnberg back into the game. The fans in the stadium gave us momentum, but bad luck and a lack of concentration were common themes for us today. Everyone knows that we’re responsible for the loss, which makes it hurt that little bit more.”

1. FC Nürnberg: Mathenia – Gyamerah, Márquez, Horn, Brown – Flick – Castrop, Schleimer (63‘ Hayashi) – Goller (76‘ Gürleyen), Okunuki (58‘ Lohkemper)– Uzun

Hertha BSC: Ernst – Kenny, Leistner (C), Kempf, Karbownik – Bouchalakis (81’ Hussein), M. Dárdai – Zeefuik (63’ Winkler), Reese – Prevljak (63’ B. Dárdai) – Tabaković (71’ Scherhant)

Goals: 0-1 Prevljak (15’), 1-1 Castrop (57’), 2-1 Leistner (72’, OG), 3-1 Hayashi (84’)

Referee: Florian Exner

Yellow cards: Tabaković, Huseein – Goller , Horn, Castrop, Christian Fiél

Red cards: Kempf – Márquez

Spectators: 37,320