Loss in Dortmund

Formation

Coach Bruno Labbadia, who had his 250th game as a coach during the game in Dortmund decided against making changes to his winning side. Niklas Stark game back into the squad after a period out with injury, and Alexander Esswein Tok Mathew Leckie’s place on the bench with the Australian out with a muscle injury. Dortmund made one change from their previous game with Mats Hummels suspended and so Axel Witsel came back into their starting XI. Erling Haaland wasn’t fit for the game.

Match Analysis

Both teams set off quickly in the game. Both teams looked fairly dangerous with Dortmund having more of the ball and Hertha standing firm in defence. A quick one-two set Achraf Hakimi away down the right but his shot harmlessly hit the side netting (8’). The Blue and Whites continued to stay compact through out the half, chances at the other end were hard to come by, however. The same could be said though for Dortmund too in the first half as Rapahel Guerreiro had their only real chance of the first period. J+A combination of Jordan Torunarigha and Rune Jarstein prevented any danger. Unfortunate news for Hertha as Javairo Dilrosun had to leave the pitch after only half an hour with injury - Alexander Esswein took his place on the pitch. There wasn’t too much to speak of before half the after that as the teams went into the dressing rooms scoreless.

Hertha made one change at half time, with Jessic Ngankam replacing Dodi Lukebakio (46'). It was the hosts, who forced the first chance of the second half. Hakimi played it into Hazard on the right, who then laid it off to Sancho in the penalty area; the Englishman's ensuing shot then slipped just wide of the left-hand upright (51'). A short while later, the 'Old Lady' showed signs of life. Vladimir Darida found Esswein in some space, but his shot from an inside forward's position was just wide of the far post (56'). Dortmund had the next chance in this end-to-end encounter; Sancho's chipped through ball found Julian Brandt, who calmly laid it off for Emre Can. The ex-Liverpool and Juventus man fired low to Jarstein's left, and the ball nestled in the bottom corner - 1-0 to the hosts (58'). Labbadia reacted promptly with an attacking change; Krzysztof Piatek replaced Per Skjelbred (62'). The rain began to pour as the game drew to a close, making an already tough task that bit more difficult for Hertha. The away side fought bravely to the very end, but just couldn't find the back of the net. Shortly before full time, Arne Maier and Lazar Samardzic came on for Hertha (89'), but the referee blew his final whistle shortly afterwards. So it ended 1-0 to BVB as the capital city club suffered their first defeat under new boss Bruno Labbadia.

Conclusion and Outlook

The capital club remain ninth with 38 points after the loss against Dortmund. This coming Saturday, they will meet Eintracht Frankfurt at home (13/06/20, 15:30 CEST).