2-1 comeback win in Kaiserslautern
Pál Dárdai made four changes to his starting line-up following on from the mid-week cup triumph against Hamburger SV. Toni Leistner and Marc Kempf started at centre-back, with Linus Gechter left out of the matchday squad. Márton Dárdai started alongside Pascal Klemens in defensive midfield, as Deyovaisio Zeefuik dropped to the bench. In attack, Marten Winkler and Smail Prevljak began in place of Fabian Reese and Haris Tabaković
Touré puts the hosts ahead
Kaiserslautern would open the scoring in the 16th minute, as Almamy Touré placed an acrobatic effort into the back of the net following a corner. Hertha struggled to find their way into the game in the opening half, and headed into the break trailing 1-0.
Niederlechner equalises with a stunning goal
Dárdai made three changes at the break, bringing on Gustav Christensen, Reese and Tabaković for Winkler, Derry Scherhant and Prevljak. The Old Lady didn't need long to draw level, as FCK failed to clear a long throw-in into the box. Jonjoe Kenny flicked it on to Niederlechner, who put it away with a stunning overhead kick (49').
Ten minutes later, Afeez Aremu was shown a straight red after a rough foul on Klemens. Referee Hans Osmers' original decision to award only a yellow card was overturned by VAR, as Hertha went on to enjoy a man advantage for the final half an hour.
Kempf nets the winning goal
Hertha began to dominate the game from then on, and saw their efforts rewarded in the 82nd minute. Niederlechner's shot was parried by the goalkeeper, as it fell to Kempf, who only had to stick out his foot to tap in the winning goal from close range.
Hertha's final game of the year will see them host VfL Osnabrück next Saturday (16the December, 13:00 CET).
Florian Niederlechner: "Overall, it was a well-deserved victory. There's no question that we didn't play well in the first half, but we also had an intense game in mid-week. The three points are the most important thing! I acted on instinct during my goal and ended up hitting the ball perfectly – one of the nicest goals I've ever scored! Three wins in the span of a week feels really good. Now, we need to beat Osnabrück as well in order to head into the winter break on a high."
1. FC Kaiserslautern: Krahl – Touré (46' Aremu), Soldo (87' Redondo), Elvedi – Zimmer (C) (46' Durm), Tomiak, Raschl, Puchacz – Ritter (63' Kraus) – Tachie, Boyd (72' Lobinger)
Hertha BSC: Ernst – Kenny, Leistner (C), Kempf, Karbownik – Klemens (60' Hussein), M. Dárdai (60' Bouchalakis) – Scherhant (46' Reese), Niederlechner, Winkler (46' Winkler) – Prevljak (46' Tabaković)
Goals: 1-0 Touré (16'), 1-1 Niederlechner (49'), 1-2 Kempf (82')
Referee: Harm Osmers
Yellow cards: Kraus – M. Dárdai, Bouchalakis
Red cards: Aremu
Spectators: 45,308