Despite a good performance at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Hertha BSC remains without a win in the Bundesliga. Own shortcomings were responsible for the 0:1 (0:1) and thus the second defeat.
Before the game, the signs were clear. Gladbach wanted to establish themselves in the top group with a win and have the best start to the season in club history in the Bundesliga, while Hertha wanted to avoid a false start. The Berliners traveled to Mönchengladbach with just one point and being eliminated in the first round of the DFB Cup at Eintracht Braunschweig.
Courageous Herthaners fail in themselves or in summer
It was clear from the start that Hertha wanted to win their first competitive game of the season with a courageous style of play. The two wingers Dodi Lukebakio and Chidera Ejuke kept posing problems for their opponents and creating good chances.
But Lukebakio in particular lacked accuracy, twice he missed the Gladbach goal (4th/43rd) after strong individual actions in the best scoring position, once VfL goalkeeper Yann Sommer fended off the Belgian (25th). The Swiss national goalkeeper was also there after a solo by Ejuke over half the pitch (21′), and Sommer also repelled an overhead kick by Wilfried Kanga (42′).
Mittelstädt is doing Berlin a disservice
But Gladbach also had chances – and they were even bigger than those of Hertha. In the early stages, Alassane Plea danced through half of the Berlin defense, his shot was deflected to the post by Marc-Oliver Kempf (7′). Ten minutes later, Hertha keeper Oliver Christensen prevented an own goal from close range, and Marcus Thuram shot him on the line as he followed.
However, it was not goalless at half-time – and that was primarily due to a blackout by Maximilian Mittelstädt. A harmless cross from Jonas Hofmann sent the Berlin left-back jerking his arm up and referee Matthias Jöllenbeck had no choice but to award a penalty. Plea certainly converted that to 1-0 for Gladbach (34th).
Again Lukebakio, then another hand penalty
Lukebakio also drew attention to himself in the second half, but after the previous missed shots he lacked the courage to finish after a solo run (55th). The 24-year-old acted symbolically for the appearance of his team. Hertha was very committed, enthusiastic, courageous – but lacked efficiency.
Where the Berliners were quite accurate, however, was playing the ball with their hands in their own penalty area. This time Filip Uremovic’s arm went up from a corner by Hofmann, and there were penalties again. Another correct decision by Jöllenbeck based on the video images (68th).
Hofmann prevails and misses
There was also yellow and red for the Hertha defender – who was warned before the first penalty because he had obstructed the execution. Surprisingly, this time it was not Plea who competed, but Hofmann. Before that there had been a discussion between the two possible shooters. And the decision took revenge, the national player failed with a rather weak low shot at Christensen.
The Berlin goalkeeper also prevented Thuram from conceding the second goal (82nd) and kept his team in the game. Outnumbered, however, she hardly managed to create any more opportunities. Kevin-Prince Boateng was closest to equalizing in the 89th minute when he was inches from sliding the ball from close range into the Gladbach goal.
Difficult tasks for both teams
Both teams will continue against the top teams in the league next Saturday (08/27/2022). Hertha meets runners-up Borussia Dortmund at 3.30 p.m., Gladbach is three hours later at permanent champion Bayern Munich.
