Ending the year with defeat
Ending the year with defeat
Hertha BSC lost 4-1 to SC Freiburg on Sunday afternoon (20/12/20). Dodi Lukébakio scored the equaliser for the capital city club.
Bruno Labbadia made four changes from the home draw with Mainz. Maximilian Mittelstädt got the nod ahead of Marvin Plattenhardt at left-back, while Peter Pekarík, Vladimír Darida and Dodi Lukébakio all returned. Dropping to the bench were Deyovaisio Zeefuik, Lucas Tousart and Javairô Dilrosun. For the opposition, Christian Streich made just one change from their 2-0 victory over Schalke with summer signing Ermedin Demirovic taking the place of Nils Petersen in attack.
The hosts made a lightning start. After winning the ball back, Jonathan Schmid sent a precise cross towards Vincenzo Grifo, who had the time and space to head the ball in off the underside of the bar from close range (7’). Inspired by their early opener, Streich’s side pressed for another goal. Roland Sallai narrowly missed the target (13’) before Jordan Torunarigha deflected another Sallai effort behind for a corner (21’). The blue-and-whites soon found their feet defensively and tried to impose themselves in attack. Mittelstädt drove into the Freiburg penalty area from wide on the left, but his shot was blocked by Keven Schlotterbeck (35’). Darida then hit one straight at Florian Müller from distance (41’). Shortly before half-time, Grifo had a glorious chance to extend the lead for Freiburg, but he didn’t get enough height on his chip to beat the onrushing Alexander Schwolow (45’). With that, Hertha went into the break with a 1-0 deficit to overcome.
Hammer blow kills Hertha’s momentum
After Dilrosun had replaced Cunha at half-time, the side from Berlin showed huge improvement at the start of the second 45. Niklas Stark headed the ball against the bar from a corner (51’), but Hertha didn’t have to wait long for the equaliser. A cross from the substitute Dilrosun fell to Dodi Lukébakio at the back post. Under no pressure, the Belgian hit the ball on the half-volley to bring Hertha level (52’). The Old Lady wanted more, and Dilrosun was involved again soon after. The winger had a go from a tight angle and was unlucky to see his shot bounce back off the post (56’). The Dutchman then played the ball to Darida, who found Krzysztof Piątek arriving in the area. The Pole was out of control, though, and ended up on his back as the ball sailed high and wide (57’). The game then took a cruel twist. Demirovic put the hosts back in front with their first notable chance of the half (59’), and the goal deflated Hertha. Woo-Yeong Jeong tested Schwolow from range and one of the resulting corners was headed home by Manuel Gulde (67’). Lucas Höler (69’) and Grifo (73’) missed further opportunities for Freiburg. Ten minutes from the end, Piątek had the chance to cut the deficit but Freiburg goalkeeper Müller did well to keep out his header (80’). Nils Petersen converted a late penalty to wrap up the game (90’).
Defeat in Freiburg ends a four match unbeaten run for Bruno Labbadia’s men. Hertha end the calendar year in 14th place with 13 points. There will now be a short break from football before Hertha return to action against Schalke 04 at the Olympiastadion (02/01/21, 18:30 CET).
7’: A bad start. Vincenzo Grifo arrives unmarked in the area to get his head to a cross from Schmid, and it’s in the back of the net. A breakdown in defensive communication, unfortunately.
13’: Sallai looks to find the far corner from the left of the box, but it’s wide.
36’: Maxi Mittelstädt breaks through on the left, dodges a tackle and has a go – but it’s stopped by Schlotterbeck. Finally a dangerous attack. More of that!
41’: Vladimir Darida tries one from the edge of the area and forces 'keeper Müller into action for the first time.
45’: Phew. Grifo is played through on goal, but he loses the battle of wits with Schwolli. His chip is straight into the arms of the Hertha shot-stopper – lucky for Hertha.51’: Woah! Stark gets his head to a corner, but it comes back off the bar…
52’: GOOOOAAAAAAAAL! Dodi Lukébakio finds space at the back stick to convert Dilrosun’s cross. YES!
56’: Dilrosun again! Our number 16 breaks through on the right and tries his luck. Freiburg are saved by the post. More, more!
59’: “You have to take your chances while you’re on top”, as the saying goes. Demirovic makes it 2-1 out of nowhere. Damn.
67’: Schwolow is hindered by a Freiburg player as he tries to punch clear, but the referee doesn’t blow for the foul. Instead, it’s a Freiburg corner – and Gulde heads it in. No words.
80’: Dangerous corner for our boys. Müller parries Piątek’s header.
90’: Penalty for Freiburg as Zeefuik touches Höler. Petersen makes it 4-1.