That now speaks for Hertha – BZ Berlin in the cup derby
The cup derby on Wednesday can come, Hertha is ready for Union! Deserved 0-0 in Wolfsburg and a strong fighting performance. And a goal is also disallowed.
By Paul Gorgas
43 minutes: After a Mittelstädt corner, the ball wriggles in the Wolves’ goal, and Stark hits it with his head. But even before that, referee Robert Hartmann had whistled off a slight push from Ekkelenkamp against Roussillon. Clear wrong decision!
Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow sees it the same way: “Ridiculous, that was never a foul.” Stark: “I’ll score a goal then it doesn’t count. Very annoying.”
The cup fight against Union is coming up in three days – and there is a lot to be said for a blue and white victory:
► Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow took criticism to heart after the Cologne game (1: 3), digested the mistake at 0: 2 and increased. Strong as he directs the people in front of him, runs out of the box and clears the attacking Lukebakio (80th). That was rarely seen before.
► After conceding 9 goals in the last 3 games, the defense played to zero. Captain Stark acted reliably, and the initially insecure Torunarigha was able to build on him. Strong: “Away without conceding a goal is very good.” The last time that happened was on January 16, 2021 in Cologne, when the last away game was 0-0 under coach Bruno Labbadia!
► The sweepers in defensive midfield, Ascacibar and Darida, finally intervened vigorously, didn’t shy away from a duel and repeatedly initiated counterattacks with short, fast passes.
Coach Tayfun Korkut is satisfied: “We were in control, especially in the second half.”
► Right-back Lukas Klünter has been No. 1 in this position since the Wolves game. Zeefuik was loaned out after Blackburn, Pekarik tested positive for the corona virus before the game – Klünter is now seeded. That’s what coach Korkut told him, talked him into it.
► And Hertha also gets the game luck back a little. In the 16th minute, Waldschmidt was completely free to finish and only had to push in – but hit the ball over the bar. Unbelievable!
Two minutes later, Weghorst shoots the ball freely into Schwolow’s arms from seven yards. And in the 39th minute referee Robert Hartmann did not whistle a clear penalty. Torunarigha brings down Steffen in the penalty area – Hartmann shakes his head, no penalty. Hertha was lucky there.
One thing is clear: Hertha is far behind the Irons in the table. But the fans can discover some glimmers of hope in the team before the cup cracker.