Coach Pal Dardai had to change the starting line-up at less notice than last week: defender Niklas Starc went through additive problems, his coach’s son Marten Dardai making his fifth appearance this season.

In the atmospheric Olympic Stadium, the guests got better at the game at first and immediately became biting and aggressive in doubles. Best proof of this fact: Less than 90 seconds played out, as Gladbach defender Bayer received the first yellow card after a more difficult boarding. This should be the start of the half with the most number of fouls this season. But the first really dangerous offensive came from the team of the Lower Rhine. Alvedi led the goal after a good cross from the eleven meters (5th minute), two minutes later referee Cortás pointed to a penalty point after an alleged foul in the Hertha penalty area. But in the end there was much excitement about nothing: according to TV pictures, no offense could be observed by Mittelstadt against Scali, so the penalty was rightfully withdrawn.

The first half was largely played in midfield – when things got tough it was in front of the hosts’ goal. After a brilliant double pass with Lars Stindl, Embolo hit the ball ten meters over the Berliner box (18th). Otherwise, the Blue-Whites were few and mostly defensive – Gladbach wanted to play further, but found no means. Hertha BSC then showed how the effectiveness worked. After the throw-in, the guest defense did not clear the ball from its penalty area. Through the detour and with much luck, the ball came to Marco Richter, who climbed five meters to the side puller in the half-left position and hit Berlin’s lead with a touchdown (40th). It was Hertha’s first shot on the goal of the game as well as the break.

The start of the second half was very slow. Time and again, small fouls interrupted the flow of the game – it was in the spirit of the hosts. Hertha focused on hitting as many counterattacks as possible, but became more confident and self-confident in her actions. Gladbach still had control of the game, but couldn’t do much with it. Guests rarely came across something really dangerous in front of an opponent’s box. In the end, Hertha won a game between the two teams, which both fought further. Thanks to hard work and well-deserved success, Hertha overtook Gladbach on the table and is now in tenth place.

Gladbach fans were very pleased with the game.

Brief analysis from the net: Mindset wins over quality.

And now the discussion begins: Who always knew Hertha would still be under torture…

Broadcast: RBB 24, 23.10.2021, 9.45 pm.