Two firsts as Hertha get the job done

Berlin- A full sixteen years separate Vedad Ibisevic and Dennis Jastrzembski, yet in Braunschweig nothing could differentiate them. Like father and son, the eighteen-year-old set up the thirty-four-year-old striker to score Hertha’s winning goal. The Old Lady is now through to the second round of the DFB-Pokal.

Until now the fledglings in the Hertha squad had played no real part, but in the eight week long preseason Jastrzembski, still an U19 player, hinted at his huge potential. Last week, the fresh-faced striker was still training with the youth squad, and showing his talent with a goal and an assist in a 3-0 victory against FC Carl Zeiss Jena.

It was hence no surprise that Jastrzembski got an assist in his first full appearance for the club. “The coach asked for an assist before he brought me on – and I delivered,” said the player after the full-time whistle.

Only six minutes to make an impact

Pál Dárdai sent the youngster on to the field in the 75th minute, and it took him only six minutes to make his mark. The eighteen-year-old found space on the right hand side – not for the first time - after a wonderful pass from Ondrej Duda, and spotting Ibisevic’s run, put the striker through to score. “It feels really amazing. I’m pleased that I was able to make my debut and the coach put his trust in me,” said Jastrzembski. “It was a nice move and Vedad was in the right position. That’s what he’s best at.” It was a decisive goal, with the hosts levelling in the 81st minute through Mergim Fejzullahu’s finish. “We kind of lost our way in the second half. Braunschweig’s equaliser wasn’t undeserved, but we responded perfectly,” commented Valentino Lazaro.

Another first

There was also a first for Marvin Plattenhardt yesterday evening, as the Germany international scored his first goal from open play for Hertha, with a stunning volley from distance after 38 minutes. “If I hadn’t caught it properly, the ball probably would’ve have flown out the stadium,” said Plattenhardt. Yet his courageousness paid off, with the ball flying into the net superbly. “The goal was textbook,” concluded Dárdai. “After we scored, we then played some neat football. But after the break, when Braunschweig put the pressure on, we stopped defending from the front,” observed the coach.