Dhe derby bankruptcy was followed by a personal bang: less than three hours after Hertha BSC’s 0:2 (0:1) defeat against Berlin’s local rivals Union, the old lady announced the separation from managing director Fredi Bobic.
The decision in the Presidium was unanimous, the traditional club announced. The farewell of the former national player, who had long toyed with a job as sports director in the German Football Association (DFB), takes effect immediately. Bobic had given trainer Sandro Schwarz a job guarantee. On Sunday (1 p.m.), Hertha wants to explain itself in a press conference.
The game had manifested the sporting balance of power in the capital. The emotional state afterwards could not have been more different. While the wildly jumping players from Union celebrated their fifth city championship in a row in front of their overjoyed fans, the bruised Hertha professionals trotted towards the east curve with their heads bowed. The supporters of the hosts vented their anger after the third defeat this year – the fear of relegation is increasing in the penultimate table.
“The points didn’t come. It’s very bitter and disappointing,” Schwarz said on Sky. Danilho Doekhi (44′) and Paul Seguin (67′) scored for the team coached by Urs Fischer, who remain the first pursuers of leaders Bayern Munich. “Every win in the Bundesliga is great for us,” said managing director Oliver Ruhnert and gave the reasons for the success: “We didn’t allow much, Hertha hardly had a chance to score. We took advantage of the few opportunities we had.”
For Schwarz, the prestige duel with the rival from Köpenick came “exactly at the right time” despite the colossal false start after the World Cup break. There is a “huge chance to turn the mood around,” Schwarz said in advance. The 74,667 fans in the Olympic Stadium – the majority of them in blue and white – provided the right derby backdrop. And Hertha tried hard not to silence the loud encouragement from the ranks.
Despite the recent low blows against VfL Bochum and VfL Wolfsburg, the intensity, mentality and body language were right. Duels were accepted, balls were won back with a willingness to run, the positional game worked. Union’s play structure suffered as a result. Hertha did not create any danger from their own possession of the ball.
Union was solid defensively despite the initial set-up mistakes, but had major problems on the offensive. A few counterattacks via the fast Sheraldo Becker were played out uncleanly. Long balls cleared Hertha’s defense safely. Union coach Urs Fischer corrected a lot on the sidelines, the dissatisfaction was noticeable in the Swiss.
The game was characterized by intense duels. Goal chances were rare, Marco Richter (33) aimed too high at Hertha’s greatest opportunity before the break from a central position. Union only became a little more dangerous at the end of the first half.
Hertha was unsure about opposing standards and was punished. Doekhi headed free from a free kick, Union’s first shot at the Hertha goal brought the lead – once again the Köpenickers proved their enormous effectiveness.
A gasping after the shock was only partially recognizable. Hertha kept trying in the second half, but attacks usually fizzled out before the last third. Seguin made the decision after a counterattack.
