Big defeat to close out the season

Hertha ended the Bundesliga season with a home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 34.

Berlin - Hertha closed out their Bundesliga season with a heavy loss in the Olympiastadion, going down 2-6 to Leverkusen. Chicharito, Havertz (2), Kießling abd Aranguiz did the damage for the visitors, while Mitchell Weiser and Sami Allagui could only provide consolations for Pal Dardai’s side.

The result means Hertha finish the table in sixth place.

Berlin - Hertha closed out their Bundesliga season with a heavy loss in the Olympiastadion, going down 2-6 to Leverkusen. Chicharito, Havertz (2), Kießling abd Aranguiz did the damage for the visitors, while Mitchell Weiser and Sami Allagui could only provide consolations for Pal Dardai’s side.

The result means Hertha finish the table in sixth place.

Last week’s side from the 2-0 win in Darmstadt was changed in two positions. John Brooks returned after suspension and Mitchell Weiser was fit enough to start. Niklas Stark and Genki Haraguchi were the men who made way and started on the bench.

Tayfun Korkut started the same XI who had started in the 2-2 draw with Köln a week ago, with Stefan Kießling and Chicharito.

Last week’s side from the 2-0 win in Darmstadt was changed in two positions. John Brooks returned after suspension and Mitchell Weiser was fit enough to start. Niklas Stark and Genki Haraguchi were the men who made way and started on the bench.

Tayfun Korkut started the same XI who had started in the 2-2 draw with Köln a week ago, with Stefan Kießling and Chicharito.

Leverkusen looked effective from the outset and took the lead through Chicharito with their first attack. From there the visitors were firm at the back and made it difficult for Hertha to break them down, and Mitchell Weiser should have done better from 12 yards when presented with a chance to equaliser. But the away side went in to half-time three goals up, thanks to a quick double from Kai Havertz before the break.

Per Skjelbred and Sebastian Langkamp came on after the break for Allan Souza and John Brook. Top scorer Vedad Ibisevic was twice denied by Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno but it was Bayer 04 who extended their lead thanks to a penalty from Kießling. Weiser reduced the deficit with twenty minutes to go after a scrappy effort but Aranguiz replied minutes later to make the lead four once more. Sami Allagui, who it was announced before the game will leave for St. Pauli next season, slotted home a penalty but the final gap between the sides was four after Pohjanpalo struck in injury time.

Leverkusen looked effective from the outset and took the lead through Chicharito with their first attack. From there the visitors were firm at the back and made it difficult for Hertha to break them down, and Mitchell Weiser should have done better from 12 yards when presented with a chance to equaliser. But the away side went in to half-time three goals up, thanks to a quick double from Kai Havertz before the break.

Per Skjelbred and Sebastian Langkamp came on after the break for Allan Souza and John Brook. Top scorer Vedad Ibisevic was twice denied by Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno but it was Bayer 04 who extended their lead thanks to a penalty from Kießling. Weiser reduced the deficit with twenty minutes to go after a scrappy effort but Aranguiz replied minutes later to make the lead four once more. Sami Allagui, who it was announced before the game will leave for St. Pauli next season, slotted home a penalty but the final gap between the sides was four after Pohjanpalo struck in injury time.

Hertha end the season in sixth place with 49 points, meaning they will play in the Europa League next season. When Pal Dardai’s side enter the competition is still to be decided. A win for Eintracht Frankfurt in next week’s Pokal final means Hertha will have to qualify for the group stages.