Hard-fought win in Braunschweig

Hertha BSC progress to round two of the DFB-Pokal with a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Braunschweig. Marvin Plattenhardt and Vedad Ibisevic got the goals for Hertha.

Head coach Pál Dárdai made no changes to the line-up following the successful friendly against Hallescher FC just five days before.

The first half was tense as Eintracht kept a tight ship and left very little space for the Blue and Whites. Braunschweig were also quick on the counter. In the first half hour both teams went close, but neither found the decisive blow. The first goal finally came thanks to a fantastic strike from German international Plattenhardt who, from also 25 metres out, fired a volley into the back of the net on the 38-minute mark.

The second half began with a lot more action; both sides had good chances just after the restart. Ibisevic's header was well saved by home keeper Engelhardt and Jordan Torunarigha made an equally impressive block from a Hofmann shot at the other end. Eintracht applied plenty of pressure in the second period, but Hertha's back line remained compact. Chances came and went for Braunschweig, with Bulut being denied by Rune Jarstein on 64 minutes and only the post stopping Hofmann's shot with 15 to go. Eintracht were finally able to get the equaliser nine minutes from time; Fejzullahu slotting home from the edge of the box. Hertha were not done yet though. Just two minutes later Ibisevic showed his eye for goal by stabbing Dennis Jastrzembski's cross over the line. It was the deserved winning goal in a well-fought cup tie.

After the successful start in the DFB-Pokal, Hertha's first Bundesliga game takes place on Saturday (25.08.18, 15:30 CEST) at home to newly-promoted 1. FC Nürnberg. The second round of the DFB-Pokal meanwhile will take place between the 30th and 31st October.