Teams | December 6, 2014 at 09:11 PM
2-3: Hertha lose in Gladbach
2-3: Hertha lose in Gladbach
Hertha BSC lost 2-3 away to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday afternoon.
Mönchengladbach - Hertha BSC went down 2-3 to Borussia Mönchengladbach, in front of 50,190 at the Borussia Park on Bundesliga matchday 14 on Saturday afternoon (06.12.14). Berlin boss Jos Luhukay was without attacking midfielder Stocker (adductor) in Gladbach. Per Skjelbred reverted to the role of playmaker, while Nico Schulz started in defensive midfield. Johannes van den Bergh took over at left back. There was also a change at right back, with Peter Pekarik’s return from injury at the expense of Ndjeng. Former Hertha and now Gladbach head coach Lucien Favre made three changes to his side which lost 0-1 in Wolgsburg, with Hazard, Korb and Xhaka starting ahead of Hahn, Nordtveit and Wendt.
The early exchanges were dull to say the least. It took a set piece to create the first chance of the game and that chance was converted by the home side, as Thorgen Hazard crossed into the Berlin box from where Tony Jantschke easily headed Gladbach in front (9.). The game remained almost void of goalmouth action. After a quarter of an hour Hertha made their first threat as Skjelbred had a shot from the edge of the area blocked following a corner. Two minutes later Schieber fired narrowly wide with a shot on the turn (18.).
Schieber nods the visitors level
The home side got a grip on the game at least at the back. Former Hertha man Rafael let fly from distance and Hertha keeper Kraft could only parry the effort to his right. Kraft then did well to keep out an effort by Germany forward Max Kruse (24.). Jos Luhukay reacted to the early blow by introducing Rafael brother Ronny to the fray in the place of Schulz. Ben-Hatira was found inside the Gladbach box but missed the target with a shot on the turn (35.). Ben-Hatira found more accuracy with a cross on the stroke of half time. He crossed from the right edge of the Borussia area to Julian Schieber who nodded Hertha level while unmarked (45.).
Shortly after the restart Kraft was in action again. This time the keeper punched a fierce effort by Granit Xhaka out of the danger zone (47.). Just as was the case in the first half, the jome side struck early in the second. Alvaro Dominguez cut in from the left and passed the ball towards Hosogai who narrowly missed it, but Rafael was on hand to score against his former team and give the home side the lead again (53.). Hertha tried to get forward but as has been the case so often this season, the final telling pass was usually missing. Ronny got a wayward shot away on 63 minutes but the ball flew well wide of goal.
Kalou’s goal came too late
Twenty minutes from the end Luhukay brought on Salomon Kalou and Peter Niemeyer for Ben-Hatira und Hosogai. Thomas Kraft prevented further damage as he superbly kept out efforts by former Hertha man Ibrahima Traore and Jantschke shortly afterwards (77.). During another Gladbach attack Pekarik headed a Traore shot away from goal while he was almost lying on the ground. Sadly for Luhukay and Co. Hazard made it 3-1 from the rebound for his first ever Bundesliga goal (83.).
The visitors could not be faulted for their effort. During injury time Kalou was brought down inside the box by Jantschke. The resulting penalty was put away by Kalou with what turned out to be the final kick of the game (90.). The capital city side returned to Berlin empty handed, and will now prepare for their next blockbuster game – against last season’s Bundesliga runners up Borussia Dortmund who visit the Olympic stadium on matchday 15 on Saturday (13.12.14, 3.30 pm).
(rd,war/City-Press)
The early exchanges were dull to say the least. It took a set piece to create the first chance of the game and that chance was converted by the home side, as Thorgen Hazard crossed into the Berlin box from where Tony Jantschke easily headed Gladbach in front (9.). The game remained almost void of goalmouth action. After a quarter of an hour Hertha made their first threat as Skjelbred had a shot from the edge of the area blocked following a corner. Two minutes later Schieber fired narrowly wide with a shot on the turn (18.).
Schieber nods the visitors level
The home side got a grip on the game at least at the back. Former Hertha man Rafael let fly from distance and Hertha keeper Kraft could only parry the effort to his right. Kraft then did well to keep out an effort by Germany forward Max Kruse (24.). Jos Luhukay reacted to the early blow by introducing Rafael brother Ronny to the fray in the place of Schulz. Ben-Hatira was found inside the Gladbach box but missed the target with a shot on the turn (35.). Ben-Hatira found more accuracy with a cross on the stroke of half time. He crossed from the right edge of the Borussia area to Julian Schieber who nodded Hertha level while unmarked (45.).
Shortly after the restart Kraft was in action again. This time the keeper punched a fierce effort by Granit Xhaka out of the danger zone (47.). Just as was the case in the first half, the jome side struck early in the second. Alvaro Dominguez cut in from the left and passed the ball towards Hosogai who narrowly missed it, but Rafael was on hand to score against his former team and give the home side the lead again (53.). Hertha tried to get forward but as has been the case so often this season, the final telling pass was usually missing. Ronny got a wayward shot away on 63 minutes but the ball flew well wide of goal.
Kalou’s goal came too late
Twenty minutes from the end Luhukay brought on Salomon Kalou and Peter Niemeyer for Ben-Hatira und Hosogai. Thomas Kraft prevented further damage as he superbly kept out efforts by former Hertha man Ibrahima Traore and Jantschke shortly afterwards (77.). During another Gladbach attack Pekarik headed a Traore shot away from goal while he was almost lying on the ground. Sadly for Luhukay and Co. Hazard made it 3-1 from the rebound for his first ever Bundesliga goal (83.).
The visitors could not be faulted for their effort. During injury time Kalou was brought down inside the box by Jantschke. The resulting penalty was put away by Kalou with what turned out to be the final kick of the game (90.). The capital city side returned to Berlin empty handed, and will now prepare for their next blockbuster game – against last season’s Bundesliga runners up Borussia Dortmund who visit the Olympic stadium on matchday 15 on Saturday (13.12.14, 3.30 pm).
(rd,war/City-Press)