Away win in Augsburg
Away win in Augsburg
Hertha beat Augsburg 3-0 on Saturday (07/11/20), with goals from Matheus Cunha, Dodi Lukébakio and Krzysztof Piątek.
Bruno Labbadia made two changes from last week’s 1-1 draw with VfL Wolfsburg. Mattéo Guendouzi made his full debut in blue and white, as the 21-year-old replaced the injured Lucas Tousart. Marvin Plattenhardt also came in in place of Maximilian Mittelstädt.
For FCA, Heiko Herrlich made just the one change; Raphael Framberger was unavailable, so Robert Gumny started at right-back. It was the Pole’s first appearance in the German top-flight.
Both sides made a cautious start at the empty WWK ARENA. Hertha enjoyed the clear majority of possession and Matheus Cunha had the first attempt after 15 minutes. The Brazilian’s effort went over the bar, as did Augsburg’s first go at goal two minutes later. Cunha was also responsible for Hertha’s next dangerous attempt, as his free-kick from the left whistled past the far post (19’). The chances that followed were all Hertha’s, as FCA keeper Gikiewicz saved headers from Niklas Stark (27’) and Jhon Córdoba (34’). After 40 minutes, the ball found its way into Alexander Schwolow’s net against the run of play, but the goalscorer André Hahn was in an offside position. Soon after, the referee Willenborg blew for a penalty at the other end, after Felix Udokhai had brought down Córdoba in the box. Cunha took his chance expertly, ensuring that Hertha held a deserved lead at half-time (44’).
The blues came out firing after the break. Dodi Lukébakio reacted fastest inside the box to latch onto a cross from Krzysztof Piątek, who replaced Córdoba at half-time. The Belgian fired home the second goal of the game to give Hertha a 2-0 lead (52’). The goal early in the second half ensured that Hertha maintained their grip on the match. FCA head coach Herrlich brought on fresh legs up front in Alfred Finnbogason and Florian Niederlechner, who immediately played a role in Augsburg’s best chance of the game but was denied by Scwolow in goal (61’). At the other end, a strong Hertha counter-attack almost brought a third goal, but Piątek could only hit the post after good work by Lukébakio and Cunha (64'). With the fog getting ever thicker, Hertha never looked like relinquishing control and were increasingly dangerous on the counter. One such attack put the finishing touches on the match, as Krzysztof Piątek reaped the rewards for his impressive performance shortly before the end (86’). Marton Dárdai came on in the final minutes for his Bundesliga debut for Hertha, capping off a good day’s work.
Hertha now occupy 13th place in the table after the win in Augsburg. There will now be an international break before the capital city club return to action on 21st November against Borussia Dortmund. The matchday 8 fixture will kick off at 20:30 CET at the Olympiastadion.
19’: Cunha has a crack at goal from wide on the left – close, but no cigar.
27’: Best opportunity of the match so far. Stark gets his head to the ball, but he can’t get it past Gikiewicz.
34’: Dangerous on the left flank again. Lukébakio drives into the area, but the ball is cleared for a corner. Cunha sends it into the Augsburg box, where Jhon Córdoba rises to head the ball at Gikiewicz again.
37’: Cunha dribbles through the centre, looking like a threat once again. The ball reaches Córdoba, but he hesitates and the moment gets away from him. Guendouzi picks up the recycled ball, but the defender gets a toe in. Shame.
44’: Penalty for Hertha! Felix Uduokhai brings down Jhon Córdoba for a stonewall penalty. Our striker is injured and needs treatment. Matheus Cunha takes responsibility – and scores the opener! YEEEEEEEEES! The Brazilian hops into the air before sending the ball down the middle. Get in, Matheus!52’: GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! 2-0! DODI! A cross from Piątek evades the Augsburg defender Gouweleeuw. Lukébakio doesn’t think twice and hammers home the second. What a start to the second half! Let’s go!
64’: Post! Another great counter by Hertha! Cunha finds Piątek with a nice ball, but the Pole hits the right post. Almost!
70’: Gikiwicz parries another Stark header.
75’: Yet another quick attack by the team, but Piątek let’s the chance to score pass him by, instead sending an inaccurate pass towards Cunha. Should have been more.
86’: Game over! 3-0! Krzysztof Piątek sends the ball in off the left-hand post to net his first of the season. Well played, lads!