Heimsieg then away in Stuttgart

On Saturday Hertha hosted fifth place FC Augsburg at the Olympiastadion whilst sitting at the foot of the table with only Stuttgart for a cushion.  After the match Hertha were three points and three places in the table better off but, points don’t tell the whole story. 

It was by no means an easy victory.  Although Hertha had much of the attacking action with Salomon Kalou having the lion’s share of the attempts on goal we had to wait until the 88th minute for the breakthrough.  A throw in from Marcel Ndjeng and a flick on from Jens Hegeler found Kalou, in the right place at the right time, waiting to pounce.  He didn’t need to be asked twice and he slotted it past Hitz.  There were some pretty uncomfortable minutes following the goal where Augsburg really went for it but Hertha hung on to those hard earned points.

Although the win was most welcome there was a price.  Both Peter Niemeyer and Per Skjelbred picked up yellow cards that I believe will result in a one match ban.  This will leave options in the midfield more limited when Hertha travel to Stuttgart. To add to Hertha’s woes it was in the press on Sunday night that Julian Scheiber had damaged the ligaments in his left knee during training and will need an operation on Wednesday.  It looks like we will be dependent on Salomon Kalou in the box for the rest of the season.  It would be a good time for him to find a rich vein of form! 

It isn’t all doom and gloom however as the in form Valentin Stocker will be returning from his suspension ready to play on Friday.  As it turns out, on match day 24, with Hertha by no means safe and the Swabians just five points below them, it may just be that the points tell the only story that matters.