Defeat in Saxony
Defeat in Saxony
The Old Lady lost 2-1 to RasenBallsport Leipzig on Saturday afternoon (24/10/20). Jhon Córdoba scored for Hertha.
Head coach Bruno Labbadia made two changes from last weekend, with Dodi Lukébakio returning to the line-up in favour of Mathew Leckie and new signing Omar Alderete making his first appearance in blue and white. The 23-year-old replaced Marvin Plattenhardt in the starting XI.
Labbadia’s opposite number Julian Nagelsmann made three changes to the team that started the in the UEFA Champions League in midweek; Marcel Halstenberg, Dani Olmo and Yussuf Poulsen dropped to the bench, with Benjamin Henrichs, Justin Kluivert and Alexander Sørloth starting instead. Both Kluivert and Sørloth were making their full debuts for RBL.
999 fans were allowed into the ground and those in the stands saw Hertha make an electric start. Dodi Lukébakio (1’) and Jhon Córdoba (3’) went close with early efforts at the Leipzig goal. The hosts’ first dangerous opportunity came when Christopher Nkunku found Justin Kluivert, but Alexander Schwolow showed great reflexes to protect his clean sheet and tip the ball around the post (7’). The resulting corner lead to an opportunity for Hertha to counter-attack; Vladimír Darida fed Dodi Lukébakio down the right, and the Belgian had the vision to pick out Córdoba in the middle. Córdoba made no mistake, lifting the ball past Péter Gulácsi and giving Labbadia’s men an early lead (8’). The advantage didn’t last long, however, as just a few minutes later the ball was in the back of Schwolow’s net. Nordi Mukiele headed the ball against the bar from a free-kick, but Hertha were unable to clear the ball. Dayot Upamecano picked up the rebound and fired home an equaliser (11’). The men from Berlin recovered quickly, but Matheus Cunha’s ball into the box evaded both Gulácsi and Córdoba (14’). The match finally calmed down, and it took until the 32nd minute for Schwolow to be called into action again. The keeper stayed alert to keep out Emil Forsberg’s attempt from distance. The Champions League side’s attacks grew stronger and stronger but the visitors defended their goal superbly. When Leipzig found themselves with sights of goal, they were denied by blocks from Alderete (31’) and Dedryck Boyata (43’). Forsberg (43') and Kevin Kampl (45') let fly from range but couldn’t find the target, and an even first half ended deservedly level.
Hertha remain in 15th place with three points from five matches. Next up for Bruno Labbadia’s men is a home match against VfL Wolfsburg next Sunday (01/11/20, 18:00 CET).
7’: Close! Justin Kluivert is played through and has just Schwolow to beat, but the keeper saves well to put it around the far post.
8’: 1-0, Jhon Córdoba! Labbadia’s men net on the counter! Dodi Lukébakio plays it into the Colombian after a rapid break on the right wing, and Córdoba does the rest.
11’: ...equaliser. Christopher Nkunku lifts the ball into the box, Leipzig hit the bar, and Dayot Upamecano finally applies the finishing touch. 1-1.
31’: Alexander Schwolow makes himself big again. Emil Forsberg’s effort was dangerous, but the keeper stands firm.
45’: The hosts go close again. It’s Kevin Kampl with the effort, but it misses the target.
47’: Shame. The blues start quickly, with Matheus Cunha picking the ball up in front of the Leipzig goal. The number 10’s finish is harmless, though.
50’: What? Deyovaisio just came on, and now he has to go off again. The number 42 gets a second yellow card after fouling Christopher Nkunku. Harsh decision.
67’: Yussuf Poulsen has a go for the first time. The Dane rises highest in the area and heads the ball over the Hertha goal.
77’: ...Marcel Sabitzer scores a penalty to make it 2-1 to Leipzig. The Austrian shoots right, Alexander Schwolow dives the other way.
83’: Great save by Alexander Schwolow! From the edge of the area, Dani Olmo forces the keeper into a terrific diving stop.