Teams | February 26, 2013 at 01:11 AM
1-0! Kluge goal sends Hertha top
1-0! Kluge goal sends Hertha top
Peer Kluge scored the only goal of the game against ten-man Kaiserslautern.
Berlin - Matchday 23 saw a top three summit take place at the Olympic stadium in Berlin, as Hertha BSC (2nd) entertained third placed Kaiserslautern on Monday night (25.02.13). A second half goal by Peer Kluge turned out to be the difference between the two sides in front of a crowd of 37,347. Ronny missed an early penalty and Lautern had a man sent off. It was a scrappy affair during which Lautern didn't have a real shot on goal all game.
Home coach Jos Luhukay was spoilt for choice with regard to team selection. With the exception of Czech defender Roman Hubnik (flu) he had a full strength squad to choose from. Ben-Hatira, Allagui, Janker, Sahar, and Bastians all missed out and watched the game from the stands. Schulz got the nod hoping to make an impact on the left wing. Lautern were without their top scorer Idrissou through suspension. His place in the starting line-up went to Erwin Hoffer.
Lively start by Hertha
Hertha took the initiative in the opening exchanges. Lautern keeper Sippel was taking no chances as he punched a harmless looking 30 metre free kick by Ronny miles out of the danger zone. Two minutes later Sippel was in the spotlight again as he brought down Schulz inside his area, after the youngster had been superbly played into the left side of the box by a sweet pass from Ronny. Match referee Tobias Welz pointed to the penalty spot, but Sippel guessed the corner Ronny would choose and made good his mistake by stretching to his right and pushing the ball away for a corner (3.). The home side continued to move forward and Kluge found Schulz on the left side of the area. His low pass was ballooned over the bar by Ramos from an acute angle (7.).
The "Red Devils" had their backs to the wall as Hertha continually took the game to them. What Luhukaay's men were missing was the final telling pass to the front men. When Lautern did manage to relieve the pressure and get forward, Hertha’s solid defence kept them out almost at will. Lautern's first "chance" came as Berlin defender Pekarik's header back to his keeper landed too short. Home stopper Kraft was on hand to clear the danger with a timely interception. There was drama in the 33rd minute, as Lautern's Baumjohann was sent off for a nasty foul on Pekarik. Hertha tried to capitalise but just seemed unable to mainly due to inaccurate passing at decisive moments. There were no goals in the opening half.
Hertha all out after the break
Jos Luhukay brought on young striker Lasogga at the start of the second half in the place of Pekarik, who had been booked before the break. Five minutes into the half, Ramos tried a shot from distance, which failed to trouble Sippel. The Columbian got his head onto a Ronny corner but the effort lacked power and direction (57.). Moments later Ramos fed Ndjeng, whose effort fizzed past the far post (59.). Luhukay introduced on a further striker in former Lautern goal-getter Wagener for young defender Brooks, but it was Lasogga who would threaten first. Firstly the ever-busy youngster nodded a corner narrowly wide of target (61.), before volleying a Ramos pass over the crossbar while handily placed, only a few metres out from goal in a central position (62.). It was great to see the lad back in action again after more than six months out following cruciate ligament surgery. He is not yet fully match fit, but was a joy to watch. The young crowd favourite visibly enjoyed being back in action, long may it continue.
Lautern had two rows of four men in front of their goal which made life more than tough for the Berliners. Midway through the second half though the deadlock was finally broken, as a pass from Hertha skipper Niemeyer found its way to Kluge via Lasogga on the left edge of the Lautern box. Kluge beat Sippel with a crisp shot at the near post to deservedly fire the home side ahead (68.). At last! Lasogga almost got his name on the score sheet with a strong header, but Sippel produced the save of the night to deny him (75.).Luhukay replaced Ronny with Kobiashvili twelve minutes from the end. Then a header by Niemeyer from a corner had Sippel stretching, but Wagner just failed to get a decisive touch onto the ball (83.). A further Wagner header following a free kick floated in by Ndjeng also failed to find the target (86.).
Top spot and larger points cushion
The visitors tried to mount a late offensive, but besides a shot from substitute Derstroff which landed in row 17 behind the goal they failed to threaten. This victory saw Hertha move into top spot in the Bundesliga 2 table for the first time this season, after leaders Braunschweig lost 1-2 at home to 1860 München the previous day. Hertha are now a point ahead of Braunschweig and increased their points cushion over Lautern to thirteen. The capital city side are in action again next Saturday (02.03.13. 13.00 CET), when they take on Dynamo Dresden away from home.
The Lautern game wasn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but we're taking it!
Home coach Jos Luhukay was spoilt for choice with regard to team selection. With the exception of Czech defender Roman Hubnik (flu) he had a full strength squad to choose from. Ben-Hatira, Allagui, Janker, Sahar, and Bastians all missed out and watched the game from the stands. Schulz got the nod hoping to make an impact on the left wing. Lautern were without their top scorer Idrissou through suspension. His place in the starting line-up went to Erwin Hoffer.
Lively start by Hertha
Hertha took the initiative in the opening exchanges. Lautern keeper Sippel was taking no chances as he punched a harmless looking 30 metre free kick by Ronny miles out of the danger zone. Two minutes later Sippel was in the spotlight again as he brought down Schulz inside his area, after the youngster had been superbly played into the left side of the box by a sweet pass from Ronny. Match referee Tobias Welz pointed to the penalty spot, but Sippel guessed the corner Ronny would choose and made good his mistake by stretching to his right and pushing the ball away for a corner (3.). The home side continued to move forward and Kluge found Schulz on the left side of the area. His low pass was ballooned over the bar by Ramos from an acute angle (7.).
The "Red Devils" had their backs to the wall as Hertha continually took the game to them. What Luhukaay's men were missing was the final telling pass to the front men. When Lautern did manage to relieve the pressure and get forward, Hertha’s solid defence kept them out almost at will. Lautern's first "chance" came as Berlin defender Pekarik's header back to his keeper landed too short. Home stopper Kraft was on hand to clear the danger with a timely interception. There was drama in the 33rd minute, as Lautern's Baumjohann was sent off for a nasty foul on Pekarik. Hertha tried to capitalise but just seemed unable to mainly due to inaccurate passing at decisive moments. There were no goals in the opening half.
Hertha all out after the break
Jos Luhukay brought on young striker Lasogga at the start of the second half in the place of Pekarik, who had been booked before the break. Five minutes into the half, Ramos tried a shot from distance, which failed to trouble Sippel. The Columbian got his head onto a Ronny corner but the effort lacked power and direction (57.). Moments later Ramos fed Ndjeng, whose effort fizzed past the far post (59.). Luhukay introduced on a further striker in former Lautern goal-getter Wagener for young defender Brooks, but it was Lasogga who would threaten first. Firstly the ever-busy youngster nodded a corner narrowly wide of target (61.), before volleying a Ramos pass over the crossbar while handily placed, only a few metres out from goal in a central position (62.). It was great to see the lad back in action again after more than six months out following cruciate ligament surgery. He is not yet fully match fit, but was a joy to watch. The young crowd favourite visibly enjoyed being back in action, long may it continue.
Lautern had two rows of four men in front of their goal which made life more than tough for the Berliners. Midway through the second half though the deadlock was finally broken, as a pass from Hertha skipper Niemeyer found its way to Kluge via Lasogga on the left edge of the Lautern box. Kluge beat Sippel with a crisp shot at the near post to deservedly fire the home side ahead (68.). At last! Lasogga almost got his name on the score sheet with a strong header, but Sippel produced the save of the night to deny him (75.).Luhukay replaced Ronny with Kobiashvili twelve minutes from the end. Then a header by Niemeyer from a corner had Sippel stretching, but Wagner just failed to get a decisive touch onto the ball (83.). A further Wagner header following a free kick floated in by Ndjeng also failed to find the target (86.).
Top spot and larger points cushion
The visitors tried to mount a late offensive, but besides a shot from substitute Derstroff which landed in row 17 behind the goal they failed to threaten. This victory saw Hertha move into top spot in the Bundesliga 2 table for the first time this season, after leaders Braunschweig lost 1-2 at home to 1860 München the previous day. Hertha are now a point ahead of Braunschweig and increased their points cushion over Lautern to thirteen. The capital city side are in action again next Saturday (02.03.13. 13.00 CET), when they take on Dynamo Dresden away from home.
The Lautern game wasn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but we're taking it!