Teams | October 28, 2013 at 03:22 PM
So close! Brave Hertha lose in Munich
So close! Brave Hertha lose in Munich
Hertha BSC lost 2-3 away to Bayern Munich in a matchday 10 clash at the sold out Allianz Arena.
Munich - Bundesliga matchday 10 saw coach Jos Luhukay and his Hertha team on their travels. They took on Bayern Munich in front of a sell out 71,000 crowd (including almost 5,000 Berlin fans) at the Allianz-Arena in the Bavarian capital. On paper it looked to be a one sided battle, after all it was last season's triple winners against a side who only won promotion to the top flight at the end of last season. But it wasn’t to be like that at all. Luhukay replaced Levan Kobiashvili and Sami Allagui with Tolga Cigerci and Nico Schulz in his starting line-up.
Hertha began the game without fear playing a 4-1-4-1 system, combining nicely as they tried to take the game to their star-studded hosts. The Hertha bench rose in unison after only four minutes, as Adrian Ramos rose to nod a Skjelbred corner into the Bayern net to give the visitors an early lead. The bench were on their feet again only five minutes later, but this time there was no goal to celebrate - but almost. Ben-Hatira saw Bayern and Germany number one keeper Manuel Neuer off his line and delicately chipped the ball over him from some 20 metres out. The Tunisian could only look on in disbelief as his superb effort rebounded off the crossbar.
Equaliser from a set piece
Although the home side had more of the ball, they were unable to create many decent scoring chances. Substitute Tony Kroos was the only Bayern man to test Berlin keeper Thomas Kraft in the first half, as he forced a fine save from the stopper with a bullet-like shot which Kraft did well to parry two-fisted to his right. Home coach brought on Mandzukic for Arjen Robben, who looked to be struggling with a groin problem. Bayern were awarded a free kick and Mandzukic capitalised on a Berlin defensive mix up to powerfully nod the home side level from a free kick (30.). The game was nicely poised at 1-1 as the referee blew time on the opening half.
Hertha hadn't won in Munich for 36 years before kick off: Was that about to change? Not really! Bayern emerged for the second half in determined mood and scored twice in only three minutes as first Mandzukic (51.) and then Götze (54.) scored with headers while unmarked. Whoever thought that Hertha would just give up after that bitter double whammy were to be proved wrong. On 58 minutes Ben-Hatira rounded off a superb Hertha maove to make it only 2-3.
Two poor decisions cost Hertha
Hertha continued to try to take the game to Bayern when they had a chance to hit them on the break. Bayern had more possession but Hertha refused to let them have things all their own way like many teams do. A quarter of an hour from the end Luhukay introduced fresh legs up front as he brought on Hany Mukhtar and Sami Allagui. Hertha threw everything forward in search of what would have surely been a deserved equaliser, but two debatable refereeing decisions which may have produced an equaliser went against them, allowing Bayern to cleverly play out the remaining minutes to take three lucky points.
Everyone in the team as well as the travelling Hertha hordes gave a good account of themselves at the Allianz-Arena. After the game Pep Guardiola said that Hertha were the best and toughest opponent his side have so far faced this season. A huge compliment indeed. On Saturday (02.11.13), Hertha fans will be rubbing their hands in anticipation again as Schalke visit the Olympic stadium in Berlin on matchday 11.
Hertha began the game without fear playing a 4-1-4-1 system, combining nicely as they tried to take the game to their star-studded hosts. The Hertha bench rose in unison after only four minutes, as Adrian Ramos rose to nod a Skjelbred corner into the Bayern net to give the visitors an early lead. The bench were on their feet again only five minutes later, but this time there was no goal to celebrate - but almost. Ben-Hatira saw Bayern and Germany number one keeper Manuel Neuer off his line and delicately chipped the ball over him from some 20 metres out. The Tunisian could only look on in disbelief as his superb effort rebounded off the crossbar.
Equaliser from a set piece
Although the home side had more of the ball, they were unable to create many decent scoring chances. Substitute Tony Kroos was the only Bayern man to test Berlin keeper Thomas Kraft in the first half, as he forced a fine save from the stopper with a bullet-like shot which Kraft did well to parry two-fisted to his right. Home coach brought on Mandzukic for Arjen Robben, who looked to be struggling with a groin problem. Bayern were awarded a free kick and Mandzukic capitalised on a Berlin defensive mix up to powerfully nod the home side level from a free kick (30.). The game was nicely poised at 1-1 as the referee blew time on the opening half.
Hertha hadn't won in Munich for 36 years before kick off: Was that about to change? Not really! Bayern emerged for the second half in determined mood and scored twice in only three minutes as first Mandzukic (51.) and then Götze (54.) scored with headers while unmarked. Whoever thought that Hertha would just give up after that bitter double whammy were to be proved wrong. On 58 minutes Ben-Hatira rounded off a superb Hertha maove to make it only 2-3.
Two poor decisions cost Hertha
Hertha continued to try to take the game to Bayern when they had a chance to hit them on the break. Bayern had more possession but Hertha refused to let them have things all their own way like many teams do. A quarter of an hour from the end Luhukay introduced fresh legs up front as he brought on Hany Mukhtar and Sami Allagui. Hertha threw everything forward in search of what would have surely been a deserved equaliser, but two debatable refereeing decisions which may have produced an equaliser went against them, allowing Bayern to cleverly play out the remaining minutes to take three lucky points.
Everyone in the team as well as the travelling Hertha hordes gave a good account of themselves at the Allianz-Arena. After the game Pep Guardiola said that Hertha were the best and toughest opponent his side have so far faced this season. A huge compliment indeed. On Saturday (02.11.13), Hertha fans will be rubbing their hands in anticipation again as Schalke visit the Olympic stadium in Berlin on matchday 11.