Frustrating loss to Östersunds FK

Hertha came away from their first Europa League away day of the season empty handed after a 1-0 loss to Östersunds FK in Sweden. A first half penalty was enough to condemn Pal Dardai’s side to defeat on Matchday 2.

Östersund – Hertha were left out in the cold in Sweden as Brwa Nouri’s spotkick proved the difference on an artificial surface. A late flurry of possession couldn’t be capitalized upon and those in Blue and White could only muster a few clear openings over the course of the 90 minutes.

Östersund – Hertha were left out in the cold in Sweden as Brwa Nouri’s spotkick proved the difference on an artificial surface. A late flurry of possession couldn’t be capitalized upon and those in Blue and White could only muster a few clear openings over the course of the 90 minutes.

There were six changes from the side defeated in Mainz last Saturday, as Thomas Kraft, Niklas Stark, Jordan Torunarigha, Alex Esswein, Peter Pekarik and Valentino Lazaro all came into the side at the expense of Ondrej Duda, Salomon Kalou, Rune Jarstein, Karim Rekik, Marvin Plattenhardt and Mathew Leckie (the last four having all not even traveled to Sweden).

Hertha showed no signs of struggling on the unfamiliar surface in the early stages, enjoying 61% of the possession. They created the better openings too, as Alex Esswein tested home ‘keeper Keita early one-on-one. Debutant Lazaro then saw his header from close range parried off the line before Vedad Ibisevic’s follow up was also kept out from inside the six yard box.

The game was decided midway through the half, when Torunarigha was adjudged to have handled in the area and Nouri stepped up to convert the penalty.

Hertha showed no signs of struggling on the unfamiliar surface in the early stages, enjoying 61% of the possession. They created the better openings too, as Alex Esswein tested home ‘keeper Keita early one-on-one. Debutant Lazaro then saw his header from close range parried off the line before Vedad Ibisevic’s follow up was also kept out from inside the six yard box. The game was decided midway through the half, when Torunarigha was adjudged to have handled in the area and Nouri stepped up to convert the penalty.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first, with Hertha having far more of the ball but struggling to break down their determined opponents. Ibisevic saw his low effort roll agonizingly wide and Esswein also fired wide following a free kick. Kraft had to be alert to turn away a dangerous set piece after the hour but it was Hertha who continued to try and find a way through as the clock ticked down. Torunarigha lashed a drive from distance over the crossbar and substitute Valentin Stocker also tired his luck from range in vain. It meant an arguable deserbed equaliser for Dardai’s men never materialized by the time the final whistle blew.

Hertha sit third in Group J with one point after two Europa League matchdays after Zorya defeated Athletic Club 1-0 in the night’s other fixtue.

Hertha’s next Bundesliga test is the biggest of them all, with Bayern Munich and new interim manager Willy Sagnol set to visit the Olympiastadion on Sunday at 15:30 CEST.

Hertha sit third in Group J with one point after two Europa League matchdays after Zorya defeated Athletic Club 1-0 in the night’s other fixtue.

The next Bundesliga test is the biggest of them all, with Bayern Munich and new interim manager Willy Sagnol set to visit the Olympiastadion on Sunday at 15:30 CEST.