Happy faces all round

Hertha BSC recorded a crucial victory against Eintracht Frankfurt on Bundesliga Matchday 22.

Hertha BSC recorded a crucial victory against Eintracht Frankfurt on Bundesliga matchday 22.

Berlin – A thunderous applause echoed through Berlin’s Olympic Stadium in the closing stages of the game with Eintracht Frankfurt, as Vladimir Darida left the pitch to standing ovations from the fans. It is a known fact that the Czech international has a clinical touch and that he also has a tendency to score important goals. That was once again the case against Frankfurt, when he bagged the second and ultimately winning after 83 minutes – his first with his head in the Bundesliga. “I can hardly believe that I managed to score with a header,” revealed the goalscorer after the game. “I am very happy to have scored the goal after coming back from injury and I hope that I can add a few more before the end of the season.”

His goal and his substitution were one of very few highlights that featured on the pitch throughout the game. For long spells both teams neutralised one another with their solid defensive play. Hertha goalkeeper Rune Almenning Jarstein prevented the hosts from falling behind in the first half, as he prevailed against Ante Rebic with a fine save. “That was perhaps Frankfurt’s turning point. If they take the lead, it would have been far more difficult for us,” knows Hertha manager Pál Dárdai. Just before the break Hertha were presented with their first chance, but Salomon Kalou’s header was saved by SGE’s Lukas Hradecky.

Ondrej Duda makes competitive match debut

The match continued stayed few on major chances after the break. “Scoring the first goal is all that mattered today. Fortunately, we scored that first goal and not them. Frankfurt played well especially in the first half, where they had a very compact shape and that made it very difficult for us to play forward,” explained Darida. But if there is one man who knows how to break a deadlock it is Vedad Ibisevic, and he did just that after 52 minutes when he slotted home a rebound from close range. The visitors looked to invest more afterwards, but Hertha’s defence stood firm. Following an act of violent conduct against Niklas Stark, Eintracht’s Haris Seferovic was given a straight red card. Shortly afterwards Darida followed up with the second to settle the match and give Hertha the win.

When Darida left the pitch, the player replacing him received almost just as much applause from the stands: Ondrej Duda made his first competitive match appearance for Hertha BSC. The Slovakian international had been sidelined with an injury for a long period and was delighted to finally make his return to the pitch. “I played my last game at the European Championships. Coming back to the pitch today felt just as good as it did back then,” said Duda. “I am very happy that the manager gave me the opportunity to play today.” Hertha’s supporters welcomed Duda with loud applause. “That felt really good, but most important was our victory today.” Not only are Hertha now in fifth place following this victory, they also have secured more points at home than any other Bundesliga team this season.

Berlin – A thunderous applause echoed through Berlin’s Olympic Stadium in the closing stages of the game with Eintracht Frankfurt, as Vladimir Darida left the pitch to standing ovations from the fans. It is a known fact that the Czech international has a clinical touch and that he also has a tendency to score important goals. That was once again the case against Frankfurt, when he bagged the second and ultimately winning after 83 minutes – his first with his head in the Bundesliga. “I can hardly believe that I managed to score with a header,” revealed the goalscorer after the game. “I am very happy to have scored the goal after coming back from injury and I hope that I can add a few more before the end of the season.”

His goal and his substitution were one of very few highlights that featured on the pitch throughout the game. For long spells both teams neutralised one another with their solid defensive play. Hertha goalkeeper Rune Almenning Jarstein prevented the hosts from falling behind in the first half, as he prevailed against Ante Rebic with a fine save. “That was perhaps Frankfurt’s turning point. If they take the lead, it would have been far more difficult for us,” knows Hertha manager Pál Dárdai. Just before the break Hertha were presented with their first chance, but Salomon Kalou’s header was saved by SGE’s Lukas Hradecky.

The match continued stayed few on major chances after the break. “Scoring the first goal is all that mattered today. Fortunately, we scored that first goal and not them. Frankfurt played well especially in the first half, where they had a very compact shape and that made it very difficult for us to play forward,” explained Darida. But if there is one man who knows how to break a deadlock it is Vedad Ibisevic, and he did just that after 52 minutes when he slotted home a rebound from close range. The visitors looked to invest more afterwards, but Hertha’s defence stood firm. Following an act of violent conduct against Niklas Stark, Eintracht’s Haris Seferovic was given a straight red card. Shortly afterwards Darida followed up with the second to settle the match and give Hertha the win.

When Darida left the pitch, the player replacing him received almost just as much applause from the stands: Ondrej Duda made his first competitive match appearance for Hertha BSC. The Slovakian international had been sidelined with an injury for a long period and was delighted to finally make his return to the pitch. “I played my last game at the European Championships. Coming back to the pitch today felt just as good as it did back then,” said Duda. “I am very happy that the manager gave me the opportunity to play today.” Hertha’s supporters welcomed Duda with loud applause. “That felt really good, but most important was our victory today.” Not only are Hertha now in fifth place following this victory, they also have secured more points at home than any other Bundesliga team this season.