Teams | November 2, 2015 at 10:59 AM
Heavy defeat
Heavy defeat
Hard-fighting Hertha were no match for Gladbach who won 4-1 in Berlin.
Berlin - Hertha produced a battling performance at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach in front of 58,566 at the Olympic stadium in Berlin on Bundesliga matchday 11 on Saturday afternoon. Their hard work turned out to be not enough as Gladbach triumphed 4-1 through goals by Wendt, Xhaka, Raffael and Nordtveit. Alexander Baumjohann replied for Hertha from the penalty spot.
Hertha coach Pál Dárdai made two changes to the side which had narrowly won away to FSV Frankfurt in the DFB Cup during the week. Suspended Vedad Ibisevic missed out as did Jens Hegeler. Their places in the team went to Valentin Stocker and Tolga Cigerci. Borussia Mönchengladbach made four changes to their team who won their cup clash 2-0 at Schalke on Tuesday night. Former Hertha striker Rafael returned to the starting line-up after an illness to replace Drmic. Dahoud got the nod over Hazard, while Dominguez and Johnson played at the back for Korb and injured defender Jantschke.
Hertha coach Pál Dárdai made two changes to the side which had narrowly won away to FSV Frankfurt in the DFB Cup during the week. Suspended Vedad Ibisevic missed out as did Jens Hegeler. Their places in the team went to Valentin Stocker and Tolga Cigerci. Borussia Mönchengladbach made four changes to their team who won their cup clash 2-0 at Schalke on Tuesday night. Former Hertha striker Rafael returned to the starting line-up after an illness to replace Drmic. Dahoud got the nod over Hazard, while Dominguez and Johnson played at the back for Korb and injured defender Jantschke.
Both teams made a cautious start with the visitors having more of the ball early on. Both teams created chances the first of which fell to Hertha's Kalou after five minutes. The Ivorian was denied by Gladbach keeper Sommer following a corner from the right taken by Plattenhardt. At the other end the visitors threatened from a corner of their own taken by Traoré (15.). Gladbach then struck twice in as many minutes, firstly through Wendt (26.) before Rafael came back to haunt his former clöub by taking the ball on ther halfway line from where he cut through the home defence like a knife through butter and finishing well to make it 2-. It was the Brazilian's fifth league goal of the season. To their credit Hertha did not give up after that double whammy and Kalou and Cigerci could have scored shortly afterwards, but there was no way past Sommer between the Gladbach posts. The game then died down somewhat which the visitors controlling the ball and their opponents. Shortly before the break Kalou took a Nordveidt shot to the head and had to go off with a gash to the head. He was replaced by Alexander Baumjohann.
The capital city side emerged for the second half in determined mood, and had the opening couple of chances through Haraguchi (49.) and Stocker (50.). Langkamp conceded a penalty after fouling Traoré inside the Berlin box. It must be said that the Gladbach man made a meal of it. Match referee Peter Sippel pointed to the spot and up stepped Xhaka who made no mistake - 3-0 to Gladbach. Hertha continued to show character by getting forward as often as possible. Baumjohann missed his side's best chance after 59 minutes, while Cigerci was denied by Sommer moments later. The visitors dropped down a gear or two but still played in a clever manner. On 77 minutes Yanni Regäsel came on to make his Bundesliga debut. Late substitute Ronny forced Sommer into a save which fell at the feet of Weiser who like so many before him failed to capitalise (79.). Two minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty after Hazard fouled Baumjohann who got up to slot home the spot kick to make it 1-3. In injury time the visitors scored for the final time through Nordtveit to make the final score 4-1 to deserved winners Gladbach.
Gladbach performed superbly and were well worth their 4-1 victory. Hertha tried hard but were once again found wanting in front of goal. Bundesliga matchday 12 sees Dardai and Co. making the short trip to Niedersachsen, where they take on Hannover 96 away from home on Friday night (06.11.15).
(rd,jb,jr/City-Press)
The capital city side emerged for the second half in determined mood, and had the opening couple of chances through Haraguchi (49.) and Stocker (50.). Langkamp conceded a penalty after fouling Traoré inside the Berlin box. It must be said that the Gladbach man made a meal of it. Match referee Peter Sippel pointed to the spot and up stepped Xhaka who made no mistake - 3-0 to Gladbach. Hertha continued to show character by getting forward as often as possible. Baumjohann missed his side's best chance after 59 minutes, while Cigerci was denied by Sommer moments later. The visitors dropped down a gear or two but still played in a clever manner. On 77 minutes Yanni Regäsel came on to make his Bundesliga debut. Late substitute Ronny forced Sommer into a save which fell at the feet of Weiser who like so many before him failed to capitalise (79.). Two minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty after Hazard fouled Baumjohann who got up to slot home the spot kick to make it 1-3. In injury time the visitors scored for the final time through Nordtveit to make the final score 4-1 to deserved winners Gladbach.
Gladbach performed superbly and were well worth their 4-1 victory. Hertha tried hard but were once again found wanting in front of goal. Bundesliga matchday 12 sees Dardai and Co. making the short trip to Niedersachsen, where they take on Hannover 96 away from home on Friday night (06.11.15).
(rd,jb,jr/City-Press)