Defeat in Leverkusen

Formation

Pál Dárdai made only one change to last week’s team that drew 2-2 with FC Augsburg at the Olympiastadion. Vladimir Darida came in for Peter Pekarik. Per Skjelbred was not in the squad due to having a tooth operation and so Dennis Jastrzembski replaced him on the bench; his first squad inclusion since matchday 6.

Match Summary

The Hertha players did not start the last game of 2018 well. Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Kevin Volland took the lead for the home side within six minutes. Following on from the first goal, Leverkusen piled on the pressure and forced Rune Jarstein into a number of saves. There was a moment to forget for the Norwegian goalkeeper in the 23rd minute. After receiving a back pass from Jordan Torunarigha, the goalkeeper could not keep control of the ball, which then fell to Kai Havertz who slotted home. However, the away side hit back immediately; Fabian Lustenberger headed a corner towards Jordan Torunarigha at the back post and the centre-back slammed the ball home. Hertha BSC had their tails up and started to play good football, with both Darida and Ondrej Duda both coming close to finding an equaliser. However, the home side went in at the break 2-1 up.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first half. Whilst Mathew Leckie was being treated on the sideline for an injury, Kai Havertz scored his second and Leverkusen’s third goal of the game; a nice chip over the goalkeeper. The injured Leckie was then replaced by Peter Pekarik and Valentino Lazaro joined the midfield. The two goal gap seemed to sap the energy from the Hertha players and there were not many clear-cut chances for the away side. Late on, Davie Selke was played through on goal but denied by a superb save from the Leverkusen goalkeeper. It was not Hertha’s day and they lost 3-1.

Outlook and conclusion

Hertha BSC ended the first half of the season on 24 points, the same amount as last year. The next Bundesliga game will be on the 20th January as Hertha BSC travel to Nürnberg (15:30 CET). Training will recommence at Schenckendorffplatz on the 3^rd January.