Teams | September 18, 2016 at 08:33 PM
What a win!
What a win!
Hertha BSC won their third straight game on Sunday evening, beating Schalke 2-0 at the Olympic stadium.
Berlin - Third game, third win! Hertha extended their superb unbeaten start to the new season on Sunday afternoon (18.09.16), deservedly beating Schalke 2-0 in front of 49,251 at the Olympic stadium on Bundeslioga matchday 3. Mitchell Weiser and Valentin Stocker were on target for the home side after the break in what was a superb home win for the capital city club. .
Hertha head coach Pál Dárdai had no reason to change the team which beat Ingolstadt last time out so the only change was a forced one, with Per Skjelbred replacing Brooks after the latter had failed to become fit in time. Niklas Stark lined up alongside Langkamp at the back, while Skjelbred and Lustenberger played just in front of them. Visiting coach Markus Weinzierl’s side were in Europa League action in midweek. His only change was to start Dutch danger man Huntelaar instead of Schöpf.
Hertha head coach Pál Dárdai had no reason to change the team which beat Ingolstadt last time out so the only change was a forced one, with Per Skjelbred replacing Brooks after the latter had failed to become fit in time. Niklas Stark lined up alongside Langkamp at the back, while Skjelbred and Lustenberger played just in front of them. Visiting coach Markus Weinzierl’s side were in Europa League action in midweek. His only change was to start Dutch danger man Huntelaar instead of Schöpf.
The game began at a bright pace, but the crowd had to wait until the 14th minute for the first chance to happen when Skjelbred let fly from distance with a fizzing effort which flew narrowly wide of the top right hand corner. At the other end Schalke’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting fired in a low shot which posed no problem for home keeper Rune Almenning Jarstein darstellte (18.). Schalke then failed to clear their lines properly following a Berlin free kick, which allowed Darida to get a shot away which fizzed agonisingly wide of target (24.). The home side remained watchful, with Lustenberger and Skjelbred bossing midfield. The visitors had a couple of good moments as a curling effort by Choupo-Moting was deflected wide of goal (31.). The former HSV striker had a dangerous cross cleared by Langkamp (36.). The game was 0-0 at the break.
Jarstein was called into action on 51 minutes. The stopper took no changes as he turned a deflected effort by Benjamin Stambouli away for a corner. Shortly afterwards Dardai was forced into his first change, as Darida limped off and was replaced by Stocker. Niggly fouls crept into the game although they didn’t affect the quality of play. After a fine ball to change wings Genki Haraguchi cut in from the left but his final effort went well wide of the Gelsenkirchen goal (61.). Four minutes later the roof almost lifted from the Olympic stadium! Pekarik won possession close to the corner flag from where he passed inside to Weiser who didn’t hesitate putting his shot away to put Hertha deservedly ahead. That goal boosted the home side who struck again ten minutes later. Weiser chipped the ball into the path of Stocker, who remained calm in front of goal as he slotted the ball home for a 2-0 lead (74.). Weinzierl had brought on his complete strike force from the bench but to no avail. Hertha’s defence remained watertight and rightly celebrated this deserved 2-0 victory with their fans after the game.
Hertha produced a battling but classy display to send Schalke and their hordes of travelling fans home empty handed. Their third straight win at the start of the new season is another club first. Hertha fans have little time to catch their breath because the action continues in Munich on Wednesday night. Dardai and Co. visit the sold out Allianz-Arena where title favourites Bayern Munich await them for a matchday 4 top two clash! That game kicks off at 8.00 PM.
(rd,war/City-Press)
Jarstein was called into action on 51 minutes. The stopper took no changes as he turned a deflected effort by Benjamin Stambouli away for a corner. Shortly afterwards Dardai was forced into his first change, as Darida limped off and was replaced by Stocker. Niggly fouls crept into the game although they didn’t affect the quality of play. After a fine ball to change wings Genki Haraguchi cut in from the left but his final effort went well wide of the Gelsenkirchen goal (61.). Four minutes later the roof almost lifted from the Olympic stadium! Pekarik won possession close to the corner flag from where he passed inside to Weiser who didn’t hesitate putting his shot away to put Hertha deservedly ahead. That goal boosted the home side who struck again ten minutes later. Weiser chipped the ball into the path of Stocker, who remained calm in front of goal as he slotted the ball home for a 2-0 lead (74.). Weinzierl had brought on his complete strike force from the bench but to no avail. Hertha’s defence remained watertight and rightly celebrated this deserved 2-0 victory with their fans after the game.
Hertha produced a battling but classy display to send Schalke and their hordes of travelling fans home empty handed. Their third straight win at the start of the new season is another club first. Hertha fans have little time to catch their breath because the action continues in Munich on Wednesday night. Dardai and Co. visit the sold out Allianz-Arena where title favourites Bayern Munich await them for a matchday 4 top two clash! That game kicks off at 8.00 PM.
(rd,war/City-Press)