Teams | November 27, 2016 at 08:57 PM
Hard fought win
Hard fought win
Hertha beat FSV Mainz 05 2-1 at home on Sunday evening (27.11.16).
Berlin - Hertha moved into third place in the Bundesliga table by way of a 2-1 home win over Mainz on matchday 12. The visitors took the lead through Seydel, but the capital city side struck back through a brace of goals by captain Vedad Ibisevic who reached the 100 Bundesliga goals mark.
After drawing 1-1 in Augsburg last time out, Berlin coach Pál Dárdai made two changes to that team, replacing injured midfielder Per Skjelbred with Fabian Lustenberger, while Genki Haraguchi was picked ahead of Alexander Esswein. Mainz boss Martin Schmidt made four changes to the side which drew 0-0 at French top flight side St. Etienne in the Europa League on Thursday night. Suspended duo Bell and Brosinski were replaced by Donati and Bungert and De Blasis and Seydel were preferred to Onisiwo and Cordoba.
After drawing 1-1 in Augsburg last time out, Berlin coach Pál Dárdai made two changes to that team, replacing injured midfielder Per Skjelbred with Fabian Lustenberger, while Genki Haraguchi was picked ahead of Alexander Esswein. Mainz boss Martin Schmidt made four changes to the side which drew 0-0 at French top flight side St. Etienne in the Europa League on Thursday night. Suspended duo Bell and Brosinski were replaced by Donati and Bungert and De Blasis and Seydel were preferred to Onisiwo and Cordoba.
Both teams made a cautious start and it took until the 17th minute for things to slightly liven up as Mainz failed to clear a corner taken by Pattenhardt properly. Problem was there was no Hertha man there to capitalise. Dardai’s men created their first chance on 20 minutes as Ibisevic nodded a Plattenhardt cross narrowly wide of target. Hertha continued to press forward but were caught cold on 25 minutes as a low ball into the Berlin box from Öztunali found Seydl who opened the scoring from close range. Hertha tried to fight back and a free kick from Salamon Kalou fizzed just over the crossbar (31.). The home side were not to be denied and finally found the back of the net to equalise after Kalou won the ball in the air before feeding Ibisevic who remained cool to fire his side level (36.) Ibisevic could have scored again on the stroke of half time but it wasn’t to be. The game was nicely poised at 1-1 as th3e half time whistle sounded.
Mainz had the opening chance of the second half, but home keeper Jarstein was on his guard to easily deny a free kick taken by Malli (56.). The visitors then shot themselves in the foot so to speak on 62 minutes, as Gbamin was sent off for a second booking. Hertha created three good chances from set pieces shortly afterwards within a couple of minutes but none were converted. Hertha took the lead for the first time on 67 minutes, as Ibisevic converted a Kalou header at the far post to record his 100th Bundesliga goal. Mainz tried to strike back but apart from a Malli free kick dealt with by Jarstein they never rwally threatened the home goal. Hertha ran out the 2-1 winners.
The 2-1 win was Hertha’s 6th home win in as many games, moving them into third place after 12 matchdays. It was the first time since 2014 that Hertha have come from behind in a league game to win. Hertha’s next game is next Saturday, as Dardai and Co. make the hour long trip to the VW Arena, where VfL Wolfsburg await them on matchday 13.
(rd,kk/City-Press)
Mainz had the opening chance of the second half, but home keeper Jarstein was on his guard to easily deny a free kick taken by Malli (56.). The visitors then shot themselves in the foot so to speak on 62 minutes, as Gbamin was sent off for a second booking. Hertha created three good chances from set pieces shortly afterwards within a couple of minutes but none were converted. Hertha took the lead for the first time on 67 minutes, as Ibisevic converted a Kalou header at the far post to record his 100th Bundesliga goal. Mainz tried to strike back but apart from a Malli free kick dealt with by Jarstein they never rwally threatened the home goal. Hertha ran out the 2-1 winners.
The 2-1 win was Hertha’s 6th home win in as many games, moving them into third place after 12 matchdays. It was the first time since 2014 that Hertha have come from behind in a league game to win. Hertha’s next game is next Saturday, as Dardai and Co. make the hour long trip to the VW Arena, where VfL Wolfsburg await them on matchday 13.
(rd,kk/City-Press)