The upswing at Hertha BSC is over again. The team of coach Pal Dardai lost on Friday evening at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim quite defenseless with 0: 2 (0: 2). Thus, the Berliners missed the third victory in the Bundesliga in a row. In front of only 8127 spectators in Sinsheim, the Croatian World Cup runner-up Kramaric scored his second goal of the season (19th minute), Sebastian Rudy increased to 2-0 (36th).
The Kraichgauer overtook Hertha (11th) after a strong performance in the table and improved to seventh place, at least for the time being. With their disappointing performance, Hertha also spoiled the mood and anticipation of its sports director Fredi Bobic, who is celebrating his 50th birthday on Saturday.
Hertha coach Pal Dardai’s 200th competitive game began with a swing. Hoffenheim’s Angelo Stiller shot just wide of the mark (5th), two minutes later TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann rescued Marco Richter (7th) on the other side. The Hoffenheim captain even received special praise from his trainer Sebastian Hoeneß during the week. “Since I’ve been here, Olli has been an absolute constant, both on and off the pitch. Top Bundesliga level!”, Hoeneß had said of his goalkeeper.
Kramaric emphasized that he has constant strength even in attack. A pass from Robert Skov let Ihlas Bebou through for the Croat, who scored the opening goal from close range. The gate gave the hosts security and unsettled the Berliners.
Kramaric (28th) and Skov (31st) could have increased, but it was Rudy who deservedly increased to 2-0. The strong Dane Skov shot at the post, Rudy used the rebounding ball sovereign and unsustainable for the Berlin goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow. Skov represented national player David Raum, who had to fit because of problems with his ankle. From the stands, a few hours before his birthday, Bobic looked in consternation at the scene on the lawn.
The evening was even worse for Hertha
After winning the DFB Cup at the fourth division Prussia Münster, the Berliners found hardly any funds on the offensive. Baumann parried a free kick from Richter (44th). Dardai reacted at the break to the poor performance of his team in the first 45 minutes. Stevan Jovetic came for Deyovaisio Zeefuik, Myziane Maolida for Vladimir Darida. But the picture did not change at first. The Berliners had a hard time, the Kraichgauer continued to play cheerfully forward. Bebou hesitated too long in the penalty area and was eventually blocked (49th).
The substitution of Ishak Belfodil (61st) did not bring the hoped-for impetus either. The ex-Hoffenheimer was greeted with whistles. On the contrary: The evening was even worse for Hertha. Maolida’s alleged connection goal correctly did not count due to offside (72nd). A minute later, Hertha captain Dedryck Boyata stepped on Stiller’s ankle with the sole. After video evidence, referee Sven Jablonski (Bremen) decided on red. Stiller had to leave the field, the Austrian Christoph Baumgartner came for him after surviving corona illness. The substitute Maolida had to leave the Berliners for tactical reasons (77th).
In excess, the hosts were no longer unsettled. Skov missed the 3-0 (87th) with a fine shot from distance, but the victory was never in danger that evening.
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