Last-minute defeat

Hertha BSC suffered a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund during a very entertaining game on Saturday evening. The visitors scored the winner in extra-time. Salomon Kalou scored twice for the home side.

Formation

Head coach Pál Dárdai made three changes for the game on his 43rd birthday. The fit-again Davie Selke and Valentino Lazaro came in for Vedad Ibišević, Lukas Klünter whilst Arne Maier also came in for Fabian Lustenberger. BVB were without Mario Götze, Paco Alcacer, Axel Witsel, Lukasz Piszczek and Maximilian Philipp.

Match analysis

A highly motivated Hertha team came onto the pitch and started the game extremely well. Salomon Kalou gave the hosts the lead after only four minutes after he pounced on a loose ball in the box before putting it away. The loose ball came after Roman Bürki parried Maximilian Mittelstädt’s shot. However, Borussia Dortmund equalised just ten minutes later when Thomas Delaney’s shot was deflected in by Karim Rekik (14’). The game then developed into a high tempo game, with both teams trying to get into the lead. Ondrej Duda had a shot saved by Bürki (21’) whilst Jarstein denied Jacob Bruun Larsen (22’) in a one-on-one. Ondrej Duda’s cross was blocked by Julian Weigl’s arm and Hertha were awarded a penalty, which Salmon Kalou scored confidently (35’). Shortly before the break, Jarstein denied Jadon Sancho from equalising Match analysis

A highly motivated Hertha team came onto the pitch and started the game extremely well. Salomon Kalou gave the hosts the lead after only four minutes after he pounced on a loose ball in the box before putting it away. The loose ball came after Roman Bürki parried Maximilian Mittelstädt’s shot. However, Borussia Dortmund equalised just ten minutes later when Thomas Delaney’s shot was deflected in by Karim Rekik (14’). The game then developed into a high tempo game, with both teams trying to get into the lead. Ondrej Duda had a shot saved by Bürki (21’) whilst Jarstein denied Jacob Bruun Larsen (22’) in a one-on-one. Ondrej Duda’s cross was blocked by Julian Weigl’s arm and Hertha were awarded a penalty, which Salmon Kalou scored confidently (35’). Shortly before the break, Jarstein denied Jadon Sancho from equalising (42’).

The second half also began with a goal, but unfortunately this time at the wrong end. Dan-Axel Zagadou headed home from a corner in the 47th minute to level things up. Dortmund continued to press for a third goal and Jarstein showed his strong reactions when he denied Bruun Larsen (54’). Hertha then almost made it 3-2 two minutes later, as Marko Grujić broke on the counter and hit the post. In the 59th minute, Diallo seemingly brought down Duda in the area, however the referee Welz let the game continue, despite huge protests for a Hertha penalty. Hertha continued to fight hard against the title candidates, with Rekik, Stark and Torunarigha denying a number of threatening Dortmund opportunities. Dárdai then brought on Ibišević and Mathew Leckie for the final exchanges, taking Selke and Kalou off. Mittelstädt then blocked a dangerous Hakimi chance in the 79th minute. Five minutes before the final whistle, Jordan Torunarigha was sent off for a second yellow card – a tactical foul the reason. The game looked as if it would end a draw until the 92nd minute, when Marco Reus shocked the ten men of Hertha and won it for the visitors. There was still time for Ibišević to be sent off for unsporting behaviour.

Conclusion and outlook

After 26 games, Hertha BSC are sitting in tenth with 35 points, ahead of the upcoming international break. The next Bundesliga game is away at RB Leipzig on March 30^th.