Teams | December 21, 2013 at 10:07 PM
2-1 Hertha triumph in Dortmund!
2-1 Hertha triumph in Dortmund!
Hertha BSC came from behind to win through goals by Ramos and Allagui in Dortmund.
Dortmund - Hertha rounded off a wonderful 2013 with an amazing 2-1 victory in Dortmund on Saturday afternoon (21.12.13). The visitors fell a goal behind after a mistake by rookie keeper Marius Gersbeck after only seven minutes, but fought back to win thanks mainly to a solid defensive performance. Berlin coach Jos Luhukay was without first choice keeper Thomas Kraft through injury. He put 18 year old rookie Gersbeck between the posts. What a debut for the Berlin-born youngster and life long Hertha fan in front of over 80,000 at the wonderful Signal Iduna Park. John Anthony Brooks (flu) was replaced in central defence by Georgian veteran Levan Kobiashvili. As expected Ronny's place in the team went to Sami Allagui. Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp made four changes to his team, bringing in Weidenfeller, Großkreutz, Sokratis und Mkhitaryan for Langerak (goal), former Hertha man Piszczek, Friedrich and Aubameyang.
The game could hardly have begun any worse for the visitors and their young debutant keeper. A long pass from Kehl found Reus advancing towards the left side of the Berlin box. Gersbeck left his line to soon to deal with the danger and Germany star Marco Reus slotted the ball past him and into the empty net from an acute angle (7.). Gersbeck did better five minutes later as Robert Lewandowski pounced on a Hertha defensive mistake, the keeper reacting well to get a glove on the ball as it looked like going in. Moments later at the other end Adrian Ramos had a great chance to equalise, but was denied by the right boot of home keeper Roman Weidenfeller in a one on one situation. Gersbeck then made a couple of good saves which must have boosted his confidence against (17.) and then Mkhitaryan (20.).
Hertha turn the game on its head
Hertha seem to fear nobody this season as their recent strong showing away to mighty Bayern underlined. On 23 minutes Sami Allagui won the ball in midfield against Durm. He then produced an inch perfect ball to the edge of the Dortmund six yard box where Adrian Ramos was lurking to slot the ball past Weidenfeller for his 11th goal of the season (23.). The Columbian hit man is level with Lewandowski at the top of the Bundesliga's top scorer list. The home side had more possession but the Berliners tackled determinedly and created further chances. Ramos won the ball inside Borussia's half before back heeling the ball into the path of Per Skjelbred, whose effort from distance failed to trouble Weidenfeller (26.). Hertha's tactic of not letting Dortmund settle on the ball paid off on the stroke of halftime, as Allagui took the ball of Marian Sarr, before rounding Weidenfeller and finishing well to give the visitors a 2-1 halftime lead.
Hertha carried on with their early pressing after the break, nipping any Dortmund danger in the bud most of the time. Hertha were in fact unlucky not to be awarded a penalty as Allagui dribbled his way into the Dortmund box where he appeared to be brought down by Reus. Match referee Peter Gagelmann waved play on as Hertha protested (53.). Sokratis then sent a header over the Berlin bar (55.). Gersbeck was in the spotlight again on 66 minutes as he parried away a fierce effort on the half volley from the edge of the box by Jonas Hofmann. It was one of very few decent chances for the home side.
Hertha's defence water tight
Luhukay brought on Peter Niemeyer for Per Skjelbred for the final 20 minutes. Hertha's defence looked unruffled and easily dealt with anything coming their way. Former Hertha man Lukasz Piszczek tried a shot from distance but the ball flew high and wide of the target (76.). Ramos went off with a knock shortly afterwards and was replaced by Sandro Wagner. The final Borussia chance was a wayward header by Großkreutz (89.).
The final whistle was finally blown after seven minutes of injury time - although the fourth official held up the board showing only four. As the final whistle sounded on Hertha's superb 2-1 win, the bench, the team and of course the massive contingent of travelling Hertha fans were in seventh heaven. The whole team ran to young Gersbeck to congratulate him. Hertha finished 2013 with a superb points tally of 28 points and in sixth place in the Bundesliga table. After what will surely be an enjoyable Christmas break, the players report back for training on January 3rd 2014.
The game could hardly have begun any worse for the visitors and their young debutant keeper. A long pass from Kehl found Reus advancing towards the left side of the Berlin box. Gersbeck left his line to soon to deal with the danger and Germany star Marco Reus slotted the ball past him and into the empty net from an acute angle (7.). Gersbeck did better five minutes later as Robert Lewandowski pounced on a Hertha defensive mistake, the keeper reacting well to get a glove on the ball as it looked like going in. Moments later at the other end Adrian Ramos had a great chance to equalise, but was denied by the right boot of home keeper Roman Weidenfeller in a one on one situation. Gersbeck then made a couple of good saves which must have boosted his confidence against (17.) and then Mkhitaryan (20.).
Hertha turn the game on its head
Hertha seem to fear nobody this season as their recent strong showing away to mighty Bayern underlined. On 23 minutes Sami Allagui won the ball in midfield against Durm. He then produced an inch perfect ball to the edge of the Dortmund six yard box where Adrian Ramos was lurking to slot the ball past Weidenfeller for his 11th goal of the season (23.). The Columbian hit man is level with Lewandowski at the top of the Bundesliga's top scorer list. The home side had more possession but the Berliners tackled determinedly and created further chances. Ramos won the ball inside Borussia's half before back heeling the ball into the path of Per Skjelbred, whose effort from distance failed to trouble Weidenfeller (26.). Hertha's tactic of not letting Dortmund settle on the ball paid off on the stroke of halftime, as Allagui took the ball of Marian Sarr, before rounding Weidenfeller and finishing well to give the visitors a 2-1 halftime lead.
Hertha carried on with their early pressing after the break, nipping any Dortmund danger in the bud most of the time. Hertha were in fact unlucky not to be awarded a penalty as Allagui dribbled his way into the Dortmund box where he appeared to be brought down by Reus. Match referee Peter Gagelmann waved play on as Hertha protested (53.). Sokratis then sent a header over the Berlin bar (55.). Gersbeck was in the spotlight again on 66 minutes as he parried away a fierce effort on the half volley from the edge of the box by Jonas Hofmann. It was one of very few decent chances for the home side.
Hertha's defence water tight
Luhukay brought on Peter Niemeyer for Per Skjelbred for the final 20 minutes. Hertha's defence looked unruffled and easily dealt with anything coming their way. Former Hertha man Lukasz Piszczek tried a shot from distance but the ball flew high and wide of the target (76.). Ramos went off with a knock shortly afterwards and was replaced by Sandro Wagner. The final Borussia chance was a wayward header by Großkreutz (89.).
The final whistle was finally blown after seven minutes of injury time - although the fourth official held up the board showing only four. As the final whistle sounded on Hertha's superb 2-1 win, the bench, the team and of course the massive contingent of travelling Hertha fans were in seventh heaven. The whole team ran to young Gersbeck to congratulate him. Hertha finished 2013 with a superb points tally of 28 points and in sixth place in the Bundesliga table. After what will surely be an enjoyable Christmas break, the players report back for training on January 3rd 2014.