Winning run over: Hertha lose to Hoffenheim
After success in the DFB-Pokal against Preußen Münster, head coach Pál Dárdai made seven changes and returned to a standard Bundesliga setup. The returning Niklas Stark, along with Peter Pekarík, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Santiago Ascacíbar, Suat Serdar, Marco Richter and Krzysztof Piątek all started the game, with four of those who started in Münster on the bench, in Lucas Tousart, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Stevan Jovetić and Davie Selke. Marvin Plattenhardt and Márton Dárdai, both suffering from muscle issues, sat out, and Dennis Jastrzembski and Linus Gechter were not in the squad. Prince Boateng returned to the bench.
Hertha start well, Kramarić strikes against run of play
The hosts created the game’s first chance, Angelo Stiller firing just wide after Hertha lost the ball (5’). Our Herthaner did not waste time in creating their first chance, as Mittelstädt’s sumptuous cross found Marco Richter, whose shot was well-saved by Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann (7’). The away side, playing all in red, were on top in this period of the game in terms of possession, and worked well. Hoffenheim took the lead though, with a goal from Andre Kramarić after 19 minutes, as Robert Skov’s deflected effort made its way to the striker who put the ball in with the help of a Niklas Stark block. The goal had a large impact on the game, as the home side gained confidence and looked to create more attempts. Another deflected strike from Kramarić missed, before Schwolow was down well to save a Skov header, and Stiller’s audacious effort landed on the roof of the net (28’, 31’, 34’). Three minutes later, the ball was in Hertha’s net again. Skov’s curling strike hit the base of the post and rebounded perfectly to the feet of Sebastan Rudy, who stroked home for 2-0. Hertha did little to challenge the Hoffenheim goal in the closing stages of the half, with Richter’s easily-held free kick on 43 minutes the closest the visitors came.
Maolida’s goal ruled out – Boyata sees red
Pál Dárdai reacted at half time, bringing on Jovetić and Myziane Maolida for Vladi Darida, who took a heavy knock to the knee in the first half, and Deyo Zeefuik. The first chance belonged to the home side, though, as Ihlas Bebou drove into the box before his shot was deflected over by Stark (49’). Our Blue-Whites looked to get back in the game, and the head coach strengthened his side’s attack, with Ishak Belfodil coming on to face his former side on the hour mark. Chances were hard to come by though, and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp’s introduction in the 69th minute looked to change that. His first involvement was a cross which caused chaos in the TSG box, before the Hoffenheim goal finally rippled (73’). That was to no avail, though, as referee Jablonski and his linesman decided goalscorer Maolida was offside as the ball was played to him. On 76 minutes, things got more difficult for Hertha as they went down to 10 men. Captain Boyata was initially given a booking for a foul on Stiller, but after going to the monitor, Jablonski had no choice but to send him for an early bath. After this, the home side controlled the game, and our Herthaner were unable to create any more dangerous chances.
Hertha will return to action next Sunday (November 7th), with a visit from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to the Olympiastadion (15:30 CET).
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann (C); Posch, Grillitsch, Vogt; Akpoguma, Geiger (84‘ Richards), Stiller (77‘ Baumgartner), Skov, Rudy (66‘ Samassekou); Bebou (66‘ Rutter), Kramarić (84‘ Bruun Larsen)
Hertha BSC: Schwolow; Zeefuik (46’ Myziane (77‘ Tousart)), Boyata (C), Stark, Pekarík; Ascacíbar, Serdar - Richter (69‘ Ekkelenkamp), Darida (46‘ Jovetić), Mittelstädt; Piątek (61‘ Belfodil)
Goals: 1-0 Kramarić (19‘), 2-0 Rudy (36‘)
Referee: Sven Jablonski
Yellow Cards: Akpoguma, Vogt; Ascacíbar
Red Cards: Boyata
Attendance: 8,127