Hamburg – The Hertha team had gone 447 Bundesliga minutes without a goal but seven minutes was enough to end the drought and get a second. The first came from a Marvin Plattenhardt cross, which found Valentino Lazaro’s boot and from the Austrian did the rest, drawing the game level. 420 seconds later Arne Maier was the provider for Salomon Kalou, who had only recently entered the field of play. The Ivorian kept his nerve and belted the ball just under the crossbar. The team gave Pál Dárdai a belated birthday present, as the coach celebrates his 42nd birthday on Friday.
It was Hamburg however, under the guidance of new coach Christian Titz who started the game the better side. After 25 minutes, they took the lead when Filip Kostic’s lofted pass found the on-running Douglas Santos. The Brazilian kept his nerve in front of Rune Jahrstein and slotted Hamburg into the ascendency. “Hamburg started well and indeed played well for the first 45,” said Kalou. Hertha had a great chance to level the scores just before half time but Vedad failed to put it past Pollersbeck, who performed well throughout. “We prepared well for the game and knew how Titz liked to play through our scouting. In the first half however, we just didn’t do enough,” said Dárdai.
Said...
“I’m really pleased Arne got his first assist and about my goal and the win.”
Salomon Kalou
Dominant in the second half
After the whistle, the Hertha player turned the page and worked hard for the equaliser which eventually came in the 56th minute. “Lazaro’s goal was a huge relief, then Kalou showed his goal-scoring prowess,” said Dárdai. The Hungarian’s substitution on the hour mark, bringing on Kalou for Maximilian Mittelstädt proved to be crucial, as three minutes later the substitute fired Hertha into the lead. Maier played him into the box and with it recorded his first Bundesliga assist. “For my goal, I received a great pass from Arne and then it was pretty easy from there. I’m really pleased Arne got his first assist and about my goal and the win,” said Kalou.
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Hamburger SV - Hertha BSC
Positive going into the international break
After having gone four games without a win or a goal, the 2-1 away win in Berlin is a huge step for Hertha. Now with 35 points, just five away from the famed 40-point mark, Hertha boast a ten point gap to the relegation places. Hertha can therefore go into the international break with wind beneath their sails and look forward to the game on Easter Sunday (31/03/18) against VfL Wolfsburg. “We’re really pleased to take the three points back with us. It’s a bit of a relief and we can go into the next game under less pressure,” explained Niklas Stark.
One player who is particularly pleased going into the international break is left-back Marvin Plattenhardt. Despite the fifth yellow card he picked up against Hamburg, which will keep him out of the next Bundesliga fixture when the club joins back up again, he is looking forward to representing the Germany national team for their upcoming friendlies. “I’m so glad to have been selected for Die Mannschaft. I always want to show my quality and offer what I can to the team,” said Plattenhardt. It is likely that Mittelstädt will replace the suspended national player when Hertha meet Wolfsburg.
Hamburg – The Hertha team had gone 447 Bundesliga minutes without a goal but seven minutes was enough to end the drought and net a second. The first came from a Marvin Plattenhardt cross, which found Valentino Lazaro’s boot and from there the Austrian did the rest, drawing the game level. 420 seconds later Arne Maier was the provider for Salomon Kalou, who had only recently entered the field of play. The Ivorian kept his nerve and belted the ball just under the crossbar. The team gave Pál Dárdai a belated birthday present, as the coach celebrated his 42nd birthday on Friday.
It was Hamburg however, under the guidance of new coach Christian Titz who started the game the better side. After 25 minutes, they took the lead when Filip Kostic’s lofted pass found the on-running Douglas Santos. The Brazilian kept his nerve in front of Rune Jahrstein and slotted Hamburg into the ascendency. “Hamburg started better and indeed played well for the first 45,” said Kalou. Hertha had a great chance to level the scores just before half time but Vedad failed to put it past Pollersbeck, who performed well throughout. “We prepared well for the game and knew how Titz liked to play through our scouting. In the first half however, we just didn’t do enough,” said Dárdai.
Dominant in the second half
After the whistle, the Hertha players turned the page and worked hard for the equaliser which eventually came in the 56th minute. “Lazaro’s goal was a huge relief, then Kalou again showed his goal-scoring prowess,” said Dárdai. The Hungarian’s substitution on the hour mark, bringing on Kalou for Maximilian Mittelstädt proved to be crucial, as three minutes later the substitute fired Hertha into the lead. Maier played him into the box and with it recorded his first Bundesliga assist. “For my goal, I received a great pass from Arne and then it was pretty easy from there. I’m really pleased Arne got his first assist and about my goal and the win,” said Kalou.
Positive going into the international break
After having gone four games without a win or a goal, the 2-1 away win in Berlin is a huge step for Hertha. Now with 35 points, just five away from the famed 40-point mark, Hertha boast a ten point gap to the relegation places. Hertha can therefore go into the international break with wind beneath their sails and look forward to the game on Easter Sunday (31/03/18) against VfL Wolfsburg. “We’re really pleased to take the three points back with us. It’s a bit of a relief and we can go into the next game under less pressure,” explained Niklas Stark.
One player who is particularly pleased going into the international break is left-back Marvin Plattenhardt. Despite picking up his fifth yellow card for the season against Hamburg, which will keep him out of the next Bundesliga fixture when the club joins back up again, he is looking forward to representing the Germany for their upcoming friendlies. “I’m so glad to have been selected for Die Mannschaft. I always want to show my quality and offer what I can to the team,” said Plattenhardt. It is likely that Mittelstädt will replace the suspended national player when Hertha meet Wolfsburg.
