Berlin derby: curses from Hertha fans – sport

Shortly after 8 p.m., when the daily news was being studied in all possible parts of the republic, the Olympic Stadium in Berlin was firmly in red and white hands. “City champions/city champions/Berlin’s number one,” yelled the fans of 1. FC Union Berlin from the western corner, where the supporters of the easternmost club in the federal capital had spread out.

There were still a good fifteen minutes to play, but they knew that nobody would be able to rob them of victory this Saturday night. Her team led 3-1 against hosts Hertha BSC, but in the end Sven Michel scored to make it 4-1. And that meant on the one hand that the chances of participating in a European competition – the new goal of Union – have not worsened for the people from Köpenick. And on the other hand, that in the West the danger of relegation has not decreased.

The house blessing is therefore more skewed than ever at Hertha. After the game, the curses flew back and forth between fans and players. The Ultras rudely asked the players to remove their jerseys, a number of players complied; there were photos of fans literally getting in the way of the players. The reason: The 1: 4 bankruptcy was the third defeat in the third derby of the season and in the eyes of the most radical fans an act of blasphemy.

The action sparked controversy. Especially since there had been ugly scenes weeks ago when a group of ultras threatened the pros on the training ground. Hertha manager Fredi Bobic said he understood the fans’ displeasure. “I wouldn’t have taken off the jersey. I’m proud to put it on. Losing the third derby in a row isn’t fun for any of us. But we’re athletes.

The game began with a surprising overture. Felix Magath, who has been Hertha coach for almost four weeks, brought on a certain Julian Eitschberger as right-back, who had never played in the Bundesliga before and who, in the last two training sessions, had struck him as a player who was “greedy for the ball, brave ” may be. He also offered Stevan Jovetic in place of Ishak Belfodil. Union on the other hand? Was distinctive Union. And then was the first team to hit the keys.

The firecrackers were still echoing, and if the smoke that Hertha’s Ultras had ignited in the east curve hadn’t cleared, Hertha’s goalkeeper Marcel Lotka came into focus. Daringly, he threw himself into every ball that the Unioner chased at close range on goal, and there were quite a few in the first twenty minutes. Sheraldo Becker fired the first warning shot; This was followed by two world-class saves by the Polish U21 national goalkeeper, who had been Hertha’s number four or five until the end of February and was flushed into the goal because of the injuries. A blessing for Hertha. Because Union was the team that was very committed and showed that they are homogeneous. Especially compared to Hertha, who suffered and suffered and suffered.

Goalkeeper Lotka shone again and again – but in the end it wasn’t enough

After a short corner and a cross ball from Christopher Trimmel, Timo Baumgartl was free, Lotka parried brilliantly and let a jubilation known as “Becker-Faust” follow. A little later he neutralized a shot by Niko Gießelmann (13th); This was followed by a nerve-racking one-on-one against Union striker Taiwo Awoniji (17th) and finally a scene that showed that Lotka was rushing with adrenaline: After an aerial duel with Union Grischa Prömel, Lotka bumped into his opponent with the chest and saw – like Prömel – the yellow card.

But just when Hertha was able to develop a feeling of invulnerability based on Lotka’s brilliant deeds, Stevan Jovetic signed off due to muscular problems. Hertha was thus deprived of its most talented player. Then it happened that Becker escaped his guard Peter Pekarik, was able to cross and Lotka misjudged for the first (and only) time. The ball flew over him on the head of Genki Haraguchi, who had played for Hertha in 2018. And only scored for the lead, which inexplicably still existed at half-time. Inexplicable, because Trimmel and Becker still had good chances to raise (42nd/44th). This was offset by a single opportunity for Hertha. Myziane Maolida volleyed the ball wide to the right of the Union goal.

After half-time, it was the Union fans who torched their pyrotechnic arsenal, but the first offensive action of the second half belonged to the hosts. And the doorbell rang: Lucas Tousart played an outstanding pass to Ishak Belfodil, who prevailed against Dominique Heintz and sent a sharp pass down the middle. Timo Baumgartl felt Maolida’s breath on his neck – and maneuvered the ball into his own goal (49′). And suddenly it was 1:1.

Alone: ​​The joy at Hertha didn’t last longer than Chris Rock’s laughter after his joke about Will Smith’s wife’s hairstyle. After a header from Boyata, Union caught up and gave Hertha a resounding slap in the face. Becker served Gießelmann on the left, and Prömel headed his cross into the far corner. Lotka was powerless. That was also the case in the 74th minute when Marton Dardai made a mistake in the build-up game and Union doubled the rhythm. Andras Schäfer sent Becker from the Netherlands, Boyata couldn’t keep up, so the Unioner made it 3-1 with a low shot into the left corner.

In the end it was substitute Sven Michel who made it 4-1. “A great result,” said Union coach Urs Fischer in his laconic way. His colleague Magath tried to sell the damage as limited. “Our situation hasn’t changed at all compared to the situation before the game,” said Magath. Alone: ​​The derby defeat should still reverberate. And Hertha is now really facing finals, in Augsburg, against Stuttgart, in Bielefeld. “We have to score, no matter how,” said Lotka.

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