Hertha did not want to have anything to do with the relegation region this season. After two match days, the Berliners still have no point in their account, and the trip to the record champions is pending.
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Joker Lukas Nmecha shot Wolfsburg to victory in Berlin. Photo: Soeren Stache / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa (Image: dpa)
(Photo: Soeren Stache / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa)
Berlin – VfL Wolfsburg has climbed to the top of the Bundesliga and shot Hertha BSC to the bottom of the table.
“Everyone would like to start with six points in two games. But I also liked the way we played, ”said Wolfsburg coach Mark van Bommel after the 2-1 (0-0) away win against the now pointless Berliners.
In front of 18,241 spectators in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, the agile Dodi Lukebakio had put Hertha in the lead after an hour with a penalty, Ridle Baku equalized the guests after 73 minutes, before Nmecha scored the late winner shortly before the end (88th). It was the fifth time in a row that Hertha had no win in a home game against Wolfsburg.
Dardai: “Table doesn’t look good”
«Nobody went for a walk today, everyone worked. This is progress, ”said Hertha coach Pal Dardai with regard to the 1: 3 opening defeat at 1. FC Köln. However, the result is not okay: “The table doesn’t look good.” And next matchday it goes to the champions Bayern Munich.
Dardai had surprisingly done without Matheus Cunha, who had disappointed him very much at the game in the cathedral city. In addition, the coach had to do without his son Marton due to ankle problems. In contrast, defense chief and captain Dedryck Boyata returned after his muscular problems, as did Davie Selke, who had cured his concussion.
Winger Javairo Dilrosun and Dodi Lukebakio were new to the starting line-up, but newcomer Stevan Jovetic initially stayed on the bench. Van Bommel, on the other hand, trusted the eleven starters who had been on the field a week earlier in a 1-0 win against newly promoted VfL Bochum at kick-off.
Lively beginning
Both teams started the game with a lot of momentum. After six minutes, Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix hit the outside post with a header, but Hertha goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow would have been there. Six minutes later, Dodi Lukebakio started a solo, but his cross was a sure thing for Wolfsburg’s Koen Casteels.
Wolfsburg’s top striker Wout Weghorst (17th) caused more difficulties for the Berlin goalkeeper with a nice diving header, which Schwolow just cleared for a corner. In summer temperatures, the encounter then mostly silted up in the midfield.
Penalty after video evidence
After the break, both teams increased the pace. First Weghorst (46.) shot the ball over the goal from close range, on the other side Stevan Jovetic, who had replaced the ailing Kevin-Prince Boateng shortly before the break, failed to VfL keeper Koen Casteels (49.). The hosts dared to go into the opposing penalty area more often.
The courage was rewarded with the 1-0 after an hour. The former Herthaner John Anthony Brooks had fouled the lively Lukebakio in the penalty area. Referee Matthias Jöllenbeck decided after video evidence on a penalty, which Lukebakio safely converted.
13 minutes later, Baku did not make Herthas Schwolow look good with a dry shot into the near corner. Hertha looked snappier after the equalizer, but Nmecha spoiled the Berliners’ hope for the first point with his late goal.
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