Bundesliga: Selke’s lightning start initiates Hertha’s victory

As of: 04/24/2022 8:31 p.m

At the end of the 31st match day of the Bundesliga, Hertha BSC really didn’t set off any fireworks in the relegation peak against VfB Stuttgart. Still, it was enough to win.

On Sunday evening (April 24th, 2022), the Berliners beat VfB 2-0 (1-0). Striker Davie Selke made the important success possible – he used a perfect cross from Marvin Plattenhardt early in the game (4th minute). Ishak Belfodil put the lid on late (90 + 3).

Stuttgart was the dominant team for long stretches, but lacked precision against disciplined Hertha in attack. With the three points, Hertha BSC increases the lead over VfB Stuttgart and thus the relegation place 16 to four points.

Magath also reflects critically on Hertha’s hard-fought success

After his 500th Bundesliga game as a coach, Hertha coach Felix Magath described the victory on the Sportschau microphone as “happy”, but in the end his team fought for success. “Why we basically handed the game over to the opponent after the first goal,” he said.

Magath’s counterpart, Pellegrino Matarazzo, judged VfB’s performance: “We were far too passive in the first 30 minutes.” In the second half, “the lads made an effort”, but lacked the “precision and coordination” to create better scoring chances.

Plattenhardt’s balls cause danger

Right at the start of the game, pyrotechnics from the visitors’ block caused clouds of smoke to spread across the lawn of the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

And things got off to a fiery start on the green: Hertha went full throttle and took the first corner. Marvin Plattenhardt hit the standard, Marc Oliver Kempf’s header landed a bit too high for striker Selke on the second post – he sailed just wide (3rd).

But then: Plattenhardt initiated the situation again and found Selke, who had escaped Hiroki Ito and Borna Sosa in the penalty area and scored Hertha’s earliest goal of the season with a volley.

The assistant first raised the flag because of an alleged offside position, Selke confidently waved it off. After the VAR review, the Herthaner should be right.

Conversion brings VfB Stuttgart access

The game didn’t go in the direction of VfB at all. Pascal Stenzel had to be substituted after a duel with Suat Serdar, Erik Thommy (24th) came on for him.

However, Stuttgart coach Pellegrino Matarazzo used the injury break to switch to a back three. Waldemar Anton moved from the six into the center of defense between Konstantinos Mavropanos and Ito.

And the change had an effect. Stuttgart acted more structured, playfully the Matarazzo-Elf managed more. However, striker Sasa Kalajdzic was still up in the air.

And so Hertha still had the best chance before the half-time whistle: Lucas Tousart (almost) used the chaos after another Plattenhardt corner, but only hit the side netting (45+2).

Plattenhardt knocked out, Mavropanos hits the crossbar

Bitter for Berlin: Hertha BSC then started the second half without the full-time cross provider Plattenhardt, who was briefly injured towards the end of the first half. The capitals continued to struggle and were sometimes pushed very far back.

Stuttgart provided the first offensive accent: Mavropanos went for a furious solo effort, left half of Hertha’s defense standing in bewilderment and hit the top of the bar with his shot, which was deflected by Kempf (52′). Many other Stuttgart degrees also lacked the final precision.

Magath makes a defensive change in the final quarter of an hour

After a good hour, Magath then became active. And took Kevin-Prince Boateng and Suat Serdar off the field. Belfodil and Maximilian Mittelstädt (63rd) came in for the two.

For the final quarter of an hour, Magath, who saw Hertha being less creative and still on the defensive, was clearly looking to save the lead over time. Defender Niklas Stark replaced midfielder Vladimir Darida (76′).

Ultimately, the calculation worked: Belfodil even got the 2-0 after a Mittelstädt template and bagged the important Berlin home win.

Next basement duel for Hertha, VfB welcome “Wolves”

Hertha is challenged in the next direct basement duel next Saturday. On Saturday (April 30th, 3:30 p.m.) the Berliners play at Arminia Bielefeld. At the same time, Stuttgart receives VfL Wolfsburg.

Source: sportschau.de

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