7th matchday
Compensation in stoppage time: Hertha misses victory in Mainz
Lucas Tousart (l) from Berlin celebrates his goal to make it 1-0 with Dodi Lukebakio (M) and Chidera Ejuke. photo
© Thomas Frey/dpa
For Hertha BSC, victory at 1. FSV Mainz 05 was within reach for a long time, but the Berliners conceded the equalizer in injury time.
Coach Sandro Schwarz took a point with him on his return to his old homeland, but missed the hoped-for victory with Hertha BSC in injury time. The long-time player and coach of 1. FSV Mainz 05 had to settle for a 1-1 (1-0) draw with the Berliners at his former club despite a deserved lead.
The Frenchman Lucas Tousart scored the 1-0 for the guests in the opening game of the 7th match day of the Bundesliga after half an hour. Substitute Anthony Caci scored in the fourth minute of injury time to equalize for the 05ers. Hertha, unbeaten in three games, has picked up five points from the past three games. Mainz remained without a win in the third home game of the season and missed the temporary jump to third place in the table.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t defend the goal we conceded. That’s very bitter, that’s definitely two points lost,” said Hertha captain Marvin Plattenhardt on DAZN. Mainz sports director Martin Schmidt was also dissatisfied: “For a long time that was far too little. We had problems with the opponent’s aggressiveness.”
First of all, a game on security from both teams
At Hertha, Suat Serdar had to pass due to illness, and he was replaced by former Mainz professional Jean-Paul Boetius. At Mainz, Edimilson Fernandes and Jae-sung Lee replaced the absent Alexander Hack (suspended) and Jonathan Burkardt (injured). The Dutchman Delano Burgzorg, who could have been considered as a possible replacement for Burkardt, was not in the squad for “disciplinary reasons”, as 05 coach Bo Svensson revealed before kick-off, without wanting to go into detail: “It stays internal.”
Both teams initially refrained from taking the big risk, safety passes in midfield shaped the picture. Marc Oliver Kempf was able to block the ball at the last moment when Mainz striker Karim Onisiwo (9th) had the first shot. Hertha’s central defender twisted his ankle and had to be replaced at half-time.
The Hertha team didn’t hide, but instead sought their way onto the offensive with their fast attacking trio of Dodi Lukebakio, Wilfried Kanga and Chidera Ejuke. This was rewarded with the opening goal – thanks to the strong help of the opponent: Maxim Leitsch from Mainz played the ball in front of Ejuke’s feet when he tried to clear the ball, and he was allowed to cross unhindered, and nobody in the center felt responsible for the goalscorer Tousart.
Hertha was punished in the end
With the lead behind them, the guests kept the pressure on, the eye-catching Ejuke had the 2-0 on the foot in the 41st minute. But 05 goalkeeper Robin Zentner reacted strongly. The Mainz team then acted hectically and incorrectly. Burkardt, who came to the stadium on crutches to watch, was missing as a passing station and combination player.
After the change of sides, Hertha was lucky that, according to the video images, referee Frank Willenborg left the yellow card for Plattenhardt. The captain had stepped on Fernandes’ right ankle in an unfortunate action with the open sole.
Mainz increased the pressure as the game went on – but most of the attacks weren’t really dangerous. There was hardly any relief from Hertha forward. That was punished in the end.