A scrappy win

Hertha BSC victory against VfL Wolfsburg on Bundesliga matchday 30 was their twelfth win at home this season. Three important points were gained from a scrappy game.

Berlin – Just as Hertha’s players approached the eastern stands after the game with VfL Wolfsburg to thank their fans for the support, a heavy shower of sleet accompanied them and it wasn’t the first typical April downpour that fans and players encounterd that Saturday. The 90 minutes on the pitch also weren’t the most comfortable one has ever witnessed. “We knew going into the game that it would be a scrappy match, and that’s what happened,” acknowledged Vedad Ibisevic after the match. The bottom line – which is what counts after all – the Blue-Whites were able to celebrate a scrappy 1-0 victory.

Keeper Rune Jarstein took centre stage in the opening stages of the game, making several key saves against Malli and Gomez within the first six minutes to prevent his team falling behind. “We didn’t manage the start we had hoped for. Fortunately we had Rune,” knew manager Pal Dárdai. “If they had scored from those chances, it would’ve been a different game,” admitted Marvin Plattenhardt. Instead, Hertha’s game started to improve after roughly 20 minutes. “After our terrible start, the lads managed to find their game and start to show more control in their approach,” praised Dárdai.

Ibisevic breaks the deadlock

There was more determination on display by Hertha after the break. “I had to explain a few things to them at half-time,” revealed Dárdai with a grin. Two players rose to the occasion in the second half: Following a well-timed cross by Alexander Esswein, Ibisevic just missed the target with a header. “I was a bit surprised, which is why I didn’t place my header more accurately,” said the skipper on his chance seven minutes into the second half. Another seven minutes later, Ibisevic improved on his previous efforts and this time found the target after another cross from Esswein. “It was a great feeling,” said the goalscorer on his twelfth strike of the season. No other Bundesliga player has scored more openers first his team this campaign.

Three vital points

However, Dárdai was not entirely pleased by the attacking performance from his team. “We should’ve executed one or two counter attacks better,” said the Hungarian, who eventually found something to praise. “We dictated the action in the second half. We are an especially uncomfortable opponent when we are in the lead.” His team still had to overcome a few close calls, with Gomez hitting the cross bar from close range after 66 minutes.

It won’t take long and the scrappy start to the game and the fortune Hertha required will be forgotten, since what really matters are the three points that bring the capital club one step closer to their big goal. “It was an important victory with the season coming to an end,” knows Allan Souza, who celebrated his first victory after making the starting line-up. In the second half the young Brazilian showed his qualities by driving attacks and distributing the ball nicely.

Two wins the minimum

After a short training session on Sunday the players will get the day off on Monday in order to reset their focus on the upcoming tasks. Next Saturday Hertha will be hosted by SV Werder Bremen, a direct opponent in the standings. “We will try everything we can to take a result from there. We want to secure at least two wins minimum from the remaining matches, in order to defend our position in the standings,” said the manager.