No points in the end

Formation

In his final game as Hertha BSC head coach, Pál Dárdai named an unchanged team to the team that won 4-3 in Augsburg last week. Leverkusen on the other hand, made one change as ex-Herthaner Mitchell Weiser came in for the injured Lars Bender.

Match analysis

Before the game kicked off in front of 59,287 there were some emotional farewells. The departing coaching team including Pál Dárdai, Fabian Lustenberger, Jonathan Klinsmann and Julius Kade were all given leaving gifts by sporting director Michael Preetz and President Werner Gegenbauer.  The atmosphere in the stadium was raucous and a beautiful tifo was presented by the fans. The weather couldn’t have been better either. The first chance of the game for the home side came just a few minutes into the game as Vedad Ibišević had a header saved from a Marvin Plattenhardt corner. At the other end of the pitch, Kraft denied a long-range effort from Wendell. However, in the 28th minute, the away side took the lead after a long ball over the top found Kai Havertz, who placed the ball into the back of the net. Nevertheless, the ‘Old Lady’ replied within minutes and a Valentino Lazaro tap in had the scores level again. Another goal was immediately scored, but this time by the away side as Wendell played in Lucas Alario who chipped Thomas Kraft (38’). Hertha BSC went in at half-time a goal down.

The second half started with Marko Grujić having the first chance but his effort was straight at the Leverkusen goalkeeper. However, ten minutes into the half, Leverkusen increased their lead as Julian Brandt scored from outside the box to make it 3-1 (54’).  The following passage of play, Dárdai’s team found it difficult and other than a chance for Ibišević, the away side dominated the game. Alario scored his second and fourth for the team in the 72nd minute before completing his hattrick two minutes before half-time. Unfortunately Fabian Lustenberger’s twelve year stint at Hertha ended with a defeat to Leverkusen, who themselves were able to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Conclusion and outlook

The capital club ended the season with 43 points and in eleventh position in the league (11 wins, 10 draws, 13 losses). Hertha scored a total of 49 goals whilst conceding 57. On Monday, the team will travel to the USA for their post-season tour. In June, the players will have a break before returning to pre-season training on the 1st July.