Hertha’s bosses had declared January with six games against supposedly smaller opponents as trend-setting for the season and demanded many points. After the disappointing 0-0 win in Cologne, only four points have been picked up from three games against the basement children Schalke (3-0), Bielefeld (0-1) and Cologne. In addition, Hertha star Cunha caused a stir with his mob against the FC bank.
By Roberto Lamprecht, Paul Gorgas and Mirko Frank
The fans are angry, Cologne’s zero number and the crisis are screaming for questions.
What upset Cunha?
It was THE excitement scene shortly before the end of Hertha’s edema 0-0 in Cologne. Brazil star Matheus Cunha (21) suddenly rascals against the Cologne bank, points in the direction of assistant coach Frank Kaspari (50) and yells “F *** you”. That happened: After a header duel with Skhiri, Cunha went down screaming in the 89th minute, holding his ankle. Referee Willenborg continues.
According to BZ information, the Cologne bank is said to have reacted to the contribution with a sentence along the lines of “Don’t make such a theater”. Enough to provoke the emotional cunha.
In frustration with the score, he lets himself be carried away to the verbal derailment, but apologizes a minute later with a handshake to Kaspari. Now the DFB is determining.
How did Carsten Schmidt follow the game?
At the end of the year, the new CEO (in office since December 1) demanded a significant increase in performance in January – except for the 3-0 win against Schalke. Striking: While Hertha’s management in the VIP area of the Cologne arena took note of the zero number on their seats, Schmidt paced restlessly up and down his seat.
The former Sky boss has given up his role as a silent observer and is now pushing structural reforms in the background (“Goldelse” project). One thing is clear: he will not be satisfied with standing still, even in sports.
The goal of Europe is now gone for the million troops at the latest!
Will possible winter transfers be stopped now?
You can almost assume that! Internally, up until the end, there was really hope that a small streak of victories would make it sixth or seventh for international business. The hope should have gone after the last performance.
Hertha will probably no longer take big money into hand for the offensive forces needed in winter, at most small loan transactions. Because Europe is no longer an issue and this expensive squad (70 million euros player budget) should also be able to prevent relegation.
Is coach Bruno Labbadia (54) still firmly in the saddle?
In 26 competitive games he has an average of 1.15 points per game. That is weak. Manager Michael Preetz (53) last strengthened his back. Nevertheless, the Hertha committees are seething – and also in the rumor mill.
After the name Ralf Rangnick (62), the name Domenico Tedesco (35), who is still under contract with Spartak Moscow until the end of May, is also in circulation.
Either way: Hertha coach Bruno Labbadia should win the home game against the other crisis team from Hoffenheim on Tuesday – otherwise it will be uncomfortable.
Why was such a secret kept in the run-up to the injuries of Matheus Cunha and Vladimir Darida?
Two days before the game in Cologne, Hertha explained at a press conference that the professionals Matheus Cunha (groin) and Vladimir Darida (foot problems) were in danger of being absent.
Whether both would then be in the squad for the game in Cologne remained a big secret until an hour before kick-off – probably to surprise the opponent. Darida was actually in the starting XI, Cunha sat on the bench.
Is Cunha threatening a tummy tuck?
The fact that Hertha’s top players had to go to Cologne in the last half hour despite groin pain and a break from training (Labbadia: “He almost didn’t train at all, that’s not ideal”) shows one thing clearly: Hertha is up to her neck! Because the Brazilian has been dragging the groin injury with him for years – as recently became known.
In Berlin, after some examinations, it is believed that he does not need an operation. But in order to eliminate the problems in the long term, the operating theater is still in the room.
Will Labbadia switch to Hoffenheim again?
Probably! The experiment with the double top Krzysztof Piatek and Jhon Cordoba in front of the wing racer Dodi Lukebakio as a tenth in the diamond went crashing in the pants. For an hour the trio had almost no chance to score.
Coach Labbadia after the game: “When two pure center forwards play, they have to create space for each other. There are still coordination problems. “
Lukebakio in particular seemed completely lost as a playmaker and had to go down after 60 minutes (BZ grade 5). Labbadia: “We knew we didn’t have the ideal ten. He made the wrong decisions. ”Should Lukebakio play against Hoffenheim, he’ll be back on the wing.
also read
► Relegation battle instead of Europe – Hertha disappointed Berlin
► After 0-0 in Cologne – only Cunha gives Hertha hope
Is Hertha in the relegation battle?
The answer is very clear: yes! 13th place in the table belies the seriousness of the situation. With a total of 17 points after 16 match days, Hertha has the worst interim result in eleven years – at that time they were relegated in the end! In addition: The cellar children Bielefeld and Mainz have gradually stabilized and are starting to collect points.
Hertha urgently needs victories, otherwise the team will soon be stuck in the relegation zone itself.
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