Defeat against KV Mechelen

Marius Gersbeck started in goal for Pál Dárdai’s side at the Pinatar Arena. Captain Toni Leistner was unavailable due to a muscle injury, so Florian Niederlechner wore the armband instead.

After Florian Niederlechner had a goal ruled out for offside (14’), the Belgian side scored twice in quick succession. Patrick Pflücke opened the scoring (23’) and then got his second six minutes later.

Deyovaisio Zeefuik replaced Jonjoe Kenny for the second half. Mechelen struck the bar in the 52nd minute, before Niederlechner hit the side-netting from a tight angle (55’). Dárdai introduced a number of youngsters after around an hour, including Boris Mamuzah Lum for his first appearance with the first team.

Niederlechner had the ball in the back of the net in the 67th minute after being played in by Zeefuik, however the referee blew up for a foul by the Dutchman. Mechelen coach Besnik Hasi was shown a red card in the 74th minute for criticising a decision. Two minutes later, Zeefuik was shown his marching orders too for a second yellow card. Instead of getting one back through Gustav Christensen’s chance (87’), the opposition got a third and final goal just before the final whistle.

Hertha are back in action on Saturday against Rangers (16:00 CET).

Hertha BSC: Gersbeck – Gechter (60’ Pekarík), M’ Dárdai (60’ Rölke), Kempf (60’ Hoffmann) – Kenny (46’ Zeefuik), Klemens (60’ Christensen), Bouchalakis (60’ Lum), Karbownik (60’ Winkler) – Niederlechner (C) – Prevljak (60’ Jindaoui), Tabaković (60’ Scherhant)

Goals: 0-1 Pflücke (23’), 0-2 Pflücke (29’), 0-3 Soelle Soelle (90’+1)

Red card: Hasi (coach) / Zeefuik