Patience, adjustment and a bit of luck
Patience, adjustment and a bit of luck
Hertha turn things up a gear coming out after half time once again in Frankfurt.
Frankfurt – It’s not really a groundbreaking fact that a game of football is made up of two halves. Two 45 minute periods in which it’s all about the three points at stake. The 15 minute break in between is a welcome chance for the players to recharge their batteries, demonstrated perfectly in yesterday’s 3-0 away over Frankfurt. With hot temperatures and the sun beaming down, it was a feisty first half. The home side had arguably the better of the chances, no thanks to Hertha themselves. “We gifted them too many opportunities in the first half. We wouldn’t have been able to complain if Frankfurt had taken the lead,” said Pál Dárdai.
Hertha’s Germany international Marvin Plattenhardt summarised how things went in the first half succinctly: “We had a few problems and had to defend a lot, so we were lucky that Frankfurt didn’t manage to score.” The best chance of the first half came courtesy of Mijat Gacinovic, who’s shot ricocheted off the underside of the bar, but luckily in front of Rune Jarstein’s line. The fact that Frankfurt had nothing to show for their efforts didn’t go down well with their head coach, Niko Kovac. “It would have done us well to go ahead playing in this heat. It’s always easier when you’re able to play with a lead,” the former Hertha player said. The game would remain goalless heading into the break.
Half time clearly wasn’t used just to get a breather, though. Pál Dárdai and Rainer Widmayer found the right words – much like in the game against Cologne. When the game restarted, Hertha finally started to get a hold on the game and were very clinical with the chances they created. “We were all much better in the second half,” said Per Skjelbred. “We won the ball back in the midfield early and were ice-cool when it mattered.” Davie Selke was hauled down in the box and referee Sascha Stegemann pointed to the spot. Selke took on the responsibility himself and dispatched the penalty to give his side the 1-0 lead (58’). It was Hertha’s 14th goal they’ve scored this season in the 15 minutes following half time – a number unmatched by any other Bundesliga side. Whatever’s being said at half time is clearly working.
The goal calmed things down for Hertha. Karim Rekik and Jordan Torunarigha were both solid in front of Rune Jarstein in goal, while spaces were opening up going forward. “We found our feet after we scored the goal and managed to execute some really good counter-attacks.” said Valentino Lazaro, who also praised his coach. “The coach reminded us of what the foundation of our play style is. We have to put pressure on the defensive midfielders to win the ball back and then immediately play it forward to get behind their defence.” And that’s exactly what they did. Matthew Leckie was played through by a fine pass from Salomon Kalou, stayed calm and buried his first goal in 1199 minutes of game time (77’). “It feels really good to have scored again. I came close last week, but now the monkey is off my back,” said a very happy Australia international.
Alexander Esswein also got himself on the scoresheet in added time to well and truly put the icing on the cake. And with this now being their second win in a row, they’ve cut the gap between themselves and the teams above them. That doesn’t change the goals for this season, though. “The fact that we managed to win our second game on the bounce gives us a lot of confidence. Now we’ll try to win another home game next week and see where things stand,” said manager Michael Preetz looking ahead. Next weekend, another of Hertha’s close contemporaries in the Bundesliga table come to Berlin. “There are still nine points to play for. We will try to win as many as possible and then we’ll see where we are,” echoed Lazaro.