"We have to take a long, hard look at ourselves"

Maximilian Mittelstädt and Alexander Schwolow were deeply disappointed with the match in Freiburg.

The blue-and-whites had imagined the year ending on a much higher note than this. After a poor first half saw Hertha 1-0 behind at the break, there was marked improvement at the start of the second period. Dodi Lukébakio equalised and there were chances for the Old Lady to take the lead, but then a quick-fire double for the hosts put Hertha behind for good. The match ended 4-1 to Freiburg. “We have to take a long, hard look at ourselves. We had to use our chances better and not allow the opposition to score so easily. It’s tough to head into the break like that,” said Maximilian Mittelstädt, making his disappointment clear. herthabsc.de sums up the match reaction in Freiburg. 

Maximilian Mittelstädt: We didn’t execute what we had planned against an aggressive Freiburg team. In the end the defeat was large because we weren’t effective enough, especially in the first half. We started well in the second half, we equalised and then created some more chances. But then we conceded an unnecessary goal which put us 2-1 behind instead. We have to take a long, hard look at ourselves. We had to use our chances better and not allow the opposition to score so easily. It’s tough to head into the break like that but we have to endure it, work hard and finally get some points after the winter break.

Alexander Schwolow: The atmosphere obviously isn’t very good after a showing like that. For me it is a mystery how we can play like that in the first half. Ahead of the game we spoke about Freiburg’s aggression and we knew that we would need to at least match their energy. We came out really well after half-time, got the equaliser straight away and missed chances to go 2-1 up. Freiburg especially struggled to get a hold of Dilrosun. Instead they scored at just the right moment to go 2-1 ahead and then made it 3-1 with a set piece that we didn’t defend carefully enough. Looking at the start of the second half, I wonder why we didn’t play like that from the beginning. We have lots of good players, but right now we’re not showing that often enough out on the pitch.