A good fight but no points in Frankfurt

The capital city club lost 3-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (30/01/21). A late goal extended the lead for the hosts.

The capital city club lost 3-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (30/01/21). A late goal extended the lead for the hosts.The capital city club lost 3-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (30/01/21). A late goal extended the lead for the hosts.

Pál Dárdai returned to the sidelines 623 days after his last match in charge of Hertha, making six changes to the side for the game in Frankfurt. Rune Jarstein returned in goal, with Lukas Klünter on the right of the back four. Santiago Ascacíbar started in midfield. The trio were making their first Bundesliga appearances of the season. Jordan Torunarigha also returned to the backline, while Dodi Lukébakio and Krzysztof Piątek were back in attack. Alexander Schwolow, Omar Alderete, Peter Pekarík, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Vladimír Darida dropped to the bench while Jhon Córdoba und Marvin Plattenhardt were missing from the squad with muscle issues. Sascha Durm (knee) was out for Eintracht, who had fought their way into European contention with a seven game unbeaten run. Adi Hütter handed a starting spot to Aymen Barkok in his place.

Pál Dárdai returned to the sidelines 623 days after his last match in charge of Hertha, making six changes to the side for the game in Frankfurt. Rune Jarstein returned in goal, with Lukas Klünter on the right of the back four. Santiago Ascacíbar started in midfield. The trio were making their first Bundesliga appearances of the season. Jordan Torunarigha also returned to the backline, while Dodi Lukébakio and Krzysztof Piątek were back in attack. Alexander Schwolow, Omar Alderete, Peter Pekarík, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Vladimír Darida dropped to the bench while Jhon Córdoba und Marvin Plattenhardt were missing from the squad with muscle issues.

Sascha Durm (knee) was out for Eintracht, who had fought their way into European contention with a seven game unbeaten run. Adi Hütter handed a starting spot to Aymen Barkok in his place.

The side from Berlin started the game strongly. Lucas Tousart missed the target with a header from a Matheus Cunha corner (10’) and Luca Netz shot over after a nice ball from Mattéo Guendouzi (12’). Amin Younes went close for the home team (14’, 17’) before Jarstein was called into action for the first time to deny Evan Ndicka (21’). The Old Lady continued to show desire and strength in the challenges while trying to impose themselves on the ball. The first big chance fell to the Eagles, with Jarstein showing off some sensational reflexes to keep out Daichi Kamada’s effort from 12 yards (28’). It was the start of a good period for Eintracht, with the Frankfurters having more pssession while Hertha kept their discipline and stood firm. Jarstein made a great fingertip save to deny André Silva (43’) and so the sides headed for the dressing room with the game goalless.

Mittelstädt replaced Netz at left-back for the start of the second half. The substitute’s first action was to find Piątek, but the Pole shot over despite a wonderful first touch (48’). Frankfurt grew into the game again after that; Filip Kostić grazed the outside of the post (60’) before Jarstein tipped Kamada’s effort away to safety (62’). A topsy-turvy 93 seconds was to follow. Piątek arrived late to pick up the ball before driving into the area and placing the ball into the far corner, out of reach for the goalkeeper Trapp (66’). There were wild celebrations on the sideline, but the hosts bit back immediately. Silva got to a cross ahead of Torunarigha to head home the equaliser (68’). The closing stages were symbolic of the match as a whole, both teams throwing themselves into tackles while looking for a route to goal. An unorthodox attempt from Mittelstädt had Trapp in hot water, with the ‘keeper pushing it over the bar at the last second (78’). Piątek hit the side-netting from the resulting corner (79’). At the other end, Eintracht took their chances. Martin Hinteregger came up for a free-kick and managed to head past Jarstein from close range (85’). Dárdai, who had just brought on Mathew Leckie for Lukébakio, reacted with a triple-change as he tried to avoid defeat: Darída, Löwen and Nagankam came on, but to no avail. Silva converted a penalty right at the death (90’+5) after a foul from Cunha. 3-1 to the hosts.

Dárdai’s men head home empty-handed, although a point would not have been undeserved given the performance and the togetherness shown by the team. FC Bayern Munich are the guests at the Olympiastadion next Friday (05/02/21, 20:30 CET).