Leckie double gives Hertha victory over Stuttgart

Hertha kicked off their 2017/18 Bundesliga campaign with a 2-0 win over VfB Stuttgart in the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Man of the Match and new signing Mathew Leckie bagged both goals.

Berlin- It was the perfect start to the season in the Olympiastadion, as two goals from new signing Mathew Leckie settled the matchday 1 tie with VfB Stuttgart. The result brought up Hertha’s 300^th home Bundesliga win.

Pal Dardai stuck with the same side which beat Rostock in the DFB Pokal on Monday, meaning a 4-4-2 formation with Vedad Ibisevic and Alex Esswein up front. New boys Mathew Leckie and Karim Rekik both made their official Bundesliga debuts.

After a superb display of banners and flags around the ground the game kicked off to a wonderful atomspehere. The majority oft he first half was played in Stuttgart’s section oft he field, but there were very few chances or sights of goal. The first meaningful effort came towards the end of the opening period as Alex Esswein twisted and turned to fashion an effort at goal, but the shot lacked power and was comfortable for Ron-Robert Zieler in goal.

It took less than a minute fort he game to come to life after the break. Leckie was set free down the right, before beating the defender and cutting inside to fire a wonderful strike into the far corner, snapping a 2,718-minute goal drought in the process. The same man then made his and his new team’s day even sweeter by lashing home from close range after a corner from Marvin Plattenhardt.

The visitors responded and finished the game with their best passage of play. First Asano struck the upright from the edge of the box before the newly-promoted side contrived to miss an open goal with Jarstein flailing in the final few minutes.

After a superb display of banners and flags around the ground the game kicked off to a wonderful atomspehere. The majority oft he first half was played in Stuttgart’s section oft he field, but there were very few chances or sights of goal. The first meaningful effort came towards the end of the opening period as Alex Esswein twisted and turned to fashion an effort at goal, but the shot lacked power and was comfortable for Ron-Robert Zieler in goal.

It took less than a minute fort he game to come to life after the break. Leckie was set free down the right, before beating the defender and cutting inside to fire a wonderful strike into the far corner, snapping a 2,718-minute goal drought in the process. The same man then made his and his new team’s day even sweeter by lashing home from close range after a corner from Marvin Plattenhardt. The visitors responded and finished the game with their best passage of play. First Asano struck the upright from the edge of the box before the newly-promoted side contrived to miss an open goal with Jarstein flailing in the final few minutes. Hertha hung on and claimed a deserved three points.

A win to start the season at home sees Hertha sit third in the very early running. Pal Dardai’s boys will now prepare themselves for next week’s match of the week away against Borussia Dortmund at 18:30CEST next Saturday.

1’: Vladimir Darida has Hertha’s first shot of the season after 16 seconds. It goes well wide.

40’: Esswein twists and turns on the edge of the box, but his shot is easily saved by Ziegler in the Stuttgart goal.

1’: Vladimir Darida has Hertha’s first shot of the season after 16 seconds. It goes well wide.
40’: Esswein twists and turns on the edge of the box, but his shot is easily saved by Ziegler in the Stuttgart goal.

46’: BREAKTHROUGH! WHAT A START! Leckie is set free by Ibisevic. The new man turns inside and curls one into the far corner to give Hertha the lead!

62’: IT’S LECKIE AGAIN! The Australian is in the right place at the right time to rifle home from a corner.

80‘: So nearly a hat-trick! But Leckie’s shot is a fraction too high after Skjelbred’s cross.

46’: BREAKTHROUGH! WHAT A START! Leckie is set free by Ibisevic. The new man turns inside and curls one into the far corner to give Hertha the lead!
62’: IT’S LECKIE AGAIN! The Australian is in the right place at the right time to rifle home from a corner.
80‘: So nearly a hat-trick! But Leckie’s shot is a fraction too high after Skjelbred’s cross.