Hertha now have just two games to play in the 2017/18 season against Hannover ’96 and then the fizzy drinks company on the last day. Before these last two games Hertha came up with some thrills, then spills and finally a creditable fightback to keep their fans on the hook.
I’m not sure I expected too much from a trip away to Frankfurt to be honest but for once I was pleasantly surprised! After a few early scares Hertha settled into the game quite nicely. Before they managed this they made it pretty clear they have a bit of an issue with sloppy back-passes. Firstly Leckie and then Rekik made blunders in this department that could so, so easily resulted in a goal that could/would have changed the complexion of the game almost completely. The second from Rekik was only kept out by the bar.
Then it started going our way when Selke came down in the box and after the ref. Looked at the screen gave a penalty that very pumped up Davie slotted and then ran to the fans clutching his Hertha badge.
There was a shout for a penalty at the other end as Per Skjelbred looked a little like he was holding on to a Frankfurt player . . . but it wasn’t given.
In the 59th minute Kalou came on for Duda and perhaps this was a pivotal move as in the 77th minute Salomon slotted a beautifully weighted pass to Mathew Leckie (who was not offside) who ran on to slot the second. Salomon then went on the assist the clincher by demonstrating superb skill in dribbling and then turning to provide the pass to Esswein who had come on to replace Davie Selke. Winning by three goals away - job done, three points thank you very much!
I’m not sure I expected too much from a trip away to Frankfurt to be honest but for once I was pleasantly surprised! After a few early scares Hertha settled into the game quite nicely. Before they managed this they made it pretty clear they have a bit of an issue with sloppy back-passes. Firstly Leckie and then Rekik made blunders in this department that could so, so easily resulted in a goal that could/would have changed the complexion of the game almost completely. The second from Rekik was only kept out by the bar.
Then it started going our way when Selke came down in the box and after the ref. Looked at the screen gave a penalty that very pumped up Davie slotted and then ran to the fans clutching his Hertha badge.
There was a shout for a penalty at the other end as Per Skjelbred looked a little like he was holding on to a Frankfurt player . . . but it wasn’t given.
In the 59th minute Kalou came on for Duda and perhaps this was a pivotal move as in the 77th minute Salomon slotted a beautifully weighted pass to Mathew Leckie (who was not offside) who ran on to slot the second. Salomon then went on the assist the clincher by demonstrating superb skill in dribbling and then turning to provide the pass to Esswein who had come on to replace Davie Selke. Winning by three goals away - job done, three points thank you very much!
The penultimate home game of the season saw Berlin bathed in glorious sunshine Hertha fans were basking in long awaited heat. After the excitement in Frankfurt surely this would be another hum-dinger? There appeared to be quite a few British tourists attending this particular game and they too were looking forward to sampling the delights of the Bundesliga and the support shown by its loyal fans. I spent a bit of time before the game chatting to a coupling of Manchester City fans who were out for a couple of days but were going back to watch their team then next day. I didn’t catch your names but I hope you enjoyed the game!
| Well, what can I say, despite the lovely weather did not go quite to plan. There were the normal early scares for Hertha culminating in yet another near catastrophic back pass. This time the culprit was Per Skjelbred and the disaster was only prevented by an alert Rune Jarstein. |  |
Then in the 32nd minute disaster did strike. A truly horrendous defection left Jarstein totally wrong footed and the ball bounced int the net leaving us a goal down. Just under half an hour later things got even worse as the blue nosed Stark was beaten in the box allowing Cordova to get his shot away and close range and our net bulged one more.
A few minutes after this second goal Dardai threw the dice one, last and decisive time by taking off Skjelbred and the tiring Kalou and brought on a stronger strike force in the form of Vedad Ibisevic and his on Palko Dardai for his Bundesliga debut. Thirteen minutes later Selke was brought down in the box and the Vedator converted it. Game on after all it appeared. Then just four minutes later Pekarik passed the ball forward from the right wing to find Ibisevic who headed it on to find Selke. Hewasn’t going to miss a chance like that and with just three minutes of normal time left we were back on even terms. But they, it wasn’t going to be.
During this season this has been the eighth time Hertha have come back from being at least one goal to remain undefeated. Clearly it’s not good we are conceding those goals but it speaks volumes about our fighting spirit, So after this glorious day in Berlin the sun may have been going down we could make our way home with a little of it’s glow in our hearts.
A few minutes after this second goal Dardai threw the dice one, last and decisive time by taking off Skjelbred and the tiring Kalou and brought on a stronger strike force in the form of Vedad Ibisevic and his on Palko Dardai for his Bundesliga debut. Thirteen minutes later Selke was brought down in the box and the Vedator converted it. Game on after all it appeared. Then just four minutes later Pekarik passed the ball forward from the right wing to find Ibisevic who headed it on to find Selke. Hewasn’t going to miss a chance like that and with just three minutes of normal time left we were back on even terms. But they, it wasn’t going to be.
During this season this has been the eighth time Hertha have come back from being at least one goal to remain undefeated. Clearly it’s not good we are conceding those goals but it speaks volumes about our fighting spirit, So after this glorious day in Berlin the sun may have been going down we could make our way home with a little of it’s glow in our hearts.
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