Kempf sees red – Nkunku and Olmo tower in Berlin

Viewers

10,000 (sold out)

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Leipzig seized control from the start of the game and dominated the action. Hertha initially focused on securing goals, but only held tight for 20 minutes. After Mukiele missed a first big chance for the guests (9th), it was the second notable opportunity that led to the first goal of the evening: Poulsen served Henrichs on the left side of the Berlin penalty area, the 24-year-old failed to hit Schwolow and scored but with the margin because Gechter deflected decisively (20th).

When referee Patrick Ittrich allowed the two teams a 15-minute break almost half an hour later, the Leipzig lead was still there – but something had changed in the game. Hertha had become bolder and approached in the person of Belfodil (23′), Jovetic (36′, free kick) and Richter (44′). The half-time statistics of 11:3 shots on goal and 63 percent ball possession showed that the 1-0 for RB was deserved.

Jovetic strikes back – then the game tilts

After the break, Hertha went on the offensive, equalized through Jovetic (48′) and was even about to turn the game around completely, but Jovetic failed twice (50′, 54′). Then came the key scene of the game: Kempf brought Nkunku down in the penalty area, referee Patrick Ittrich pointed to the point and showed the Berlin defender a red card (62′). Nkunku converted safely and thus initiated a last half hour in which Hertha had nothing to oppose.

The outstanding Nkunku immediately increased (67′), then substitute Olmo also came up trumps and scored the 1: 4 (74′), before Haidara (81′) and Poulsen (88′) let Hertha come hard. In the end it was 1:6, which concealed the fact that the Berliners hadn’t played that badly until they were sent off.

Next week, Hertha will visit Freiburg on Saturday (3.30 p.m.), Leipzig will play in Bochum the following day.

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