After four defeats in a row, Hertha BSC achieved their first win of the new year. After the dismissal of Fredi Bobic, the names of the goalscorers against Gladbach are extremely obvious. Emotions overcome you.
Dn the “Berlin way” proclaimed after the resignation of sports director Fredi Bobic, Bundesliga soccer team Hertha BSC successfully followed in their first home game after Bobic. “Three hit from the academy. That’s how you can end the week,” said attacking player Marco Richter after the 4-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach – the first win in 2023 after four defeats and a goal difference of 1:13 and five hours without a goal of his own.
Three graduates from the Hertha Academy made the team breathe a sigh of relief: Jessic Ngankam equalized Gladbach’s lead through Nico Elvedi (17th minute) after half an hour, Marton Dardai scored his first Bundesliga goal (52nd), Derry on his 21st birthday Scherhant made the decision with his debut goal in the Oberhaus (90+1). Dodi Lukebakio made the final score of the “important work win” according to the judge in the seventh minute of added time with a penalty kick.
Due to the system changeover to a back three and two strikers, Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz ordered Dardai and Ngankam, who have been with the pros a little longer, into the starting XI – which both “deserve” to do. Dardai’s use was a “logical consequence” for Black.
“The goal was the bonus point,” said the 44-year-old on Sunday’s shot, which Marton’s father – former Hertha coach Pal Dardai – enjoyed jubilantly in the stands of the Berlin Olympic Stadium. In the case of striker Ngankam, who was injured in the preliminary round, Black wanted to “use his physicality and keep his stick in the spokes” in order to build up more of a goal threat.
Hertha climbs to 16th place
Substitute Scherhant was still overwhelmed by the joy of his first goal after the game. He came into the dressing room crying loudly to Schwarz. The coach had given him something to take with him before the game: “I told him beforehand that today would be a good time to score the first goal.”
Derry Scherhant (centre) in the Berlin Jubeltraube
Those: dpa/Soeren Stache
With the fourth win of the season, the Berliners climbed to the relegation rank with 17 points and at least reduced the pressure a little. “I’m happy that Sunday is more pleasant and that the substitute player training on Monday is too,” said Schwarz, who also classified the success straight away: “The relegation battle means that you don’t let the feeling of being satisfied arise. That’s why we need a few more wins.”
The next Borussia is waiting next Sunday, then in Dortmund. The success, which came about thanks to an improved appearance in the playful and combative area, also increases self-confidence. “We want to build on that,” said Richter, “even if the next opponent is Dortmund.”
