0: 3 in Freiburg – Why this bad luck, Hertha?

Hertha keeps up in Freiburg for a long time, even after the unjustified penalty, the Berliners can sniff at the point win. But in the end, Hertha BSC is empty-handed again.

By Paul Gorgas and Roberto Lamprecht

Misfortunes never come singly! After eight short-term Corona failures last week against Leipzig (1: 6), Hertha’s bad luck continues at 0: 3 in Freiburg.

Hertha's Vladimir Darida tries to pass the ball past Freiburg's Christian Günter (Photo: City-Press GmbH)
Hertha’s Vladimir Darida tries to pass the ball past Freiburg’s Christian Günter (Photo: City-Press GmbH)

Also because referee Sven Jablonski puts the Berliners on the losing road early on. When Freiburg’s Sallai falls in a duel with Hertha’s Linus Gechter (11th), he gives a penalty – a joke!

Hertha manager Fredi Bobic (50): “A clear wrong decision. There is only light contact, but that is not enough. That’s not enough for a 911.”

Even Grifo, who made it 1-0 (12th), says: “I’m sorry for Hertha. You don’t have to give it.”

Marcel Lotka stretches in vain - Freiburg's Vincenzo Grifo scores from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 against Hertha (Photo: City-Press GmbH)
Marcel Lotka stretches in vain – Freiburg’s Vincenzo Grifo scores from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 against Hertha (Photo: City-Press GmbH)

Why this bad luck?

Because of the staff shortage, Marcel Lotka (20), the fifth goalkeeper in Freiburg, has to be in the box and celebrates his Bundesliga debut!

Reason: Alexander Schwolow (Corona), Oliver Christensen (thigh muscle problems), Rune Jarstein (knee surgery) are missing and Nils Körber (knee) is behind in training.

Marcel Lotka is in the Hertha box in the game against Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)
Marcel Lotka is in the Hertha box in the game against Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)

Also bitter: The central defenders Stark (Corona), Kempf (red suspension) and Dardai (ankle) are also missing. After a four-week break due to injury (ankle), Boyata has to play again straight away.

Hertha fought bravely and had two huge chances to equalize through Pekarik (38′) and Richter (63′).

Hertha's Marco Richter tears his hair out after the missed equalizer in Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)
Hertha’s Marco Richter tears his hair out after the missed equalizer in Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)

But when central defender Linus Gechter (17, thigh) is out in the 68th minute and Cimo Röcker (28), the next U23 player, makes his Bundesliga debut, Hertha breaks up. You can’t get by against so much bad luck.

The Freiburger Schade (83rd) and Höler (86th) meet against moved up Berlin and a strong goalkeeper newcomer Lotka to the 3-0 final score.

Hertha's Stevan Jovetic on the ground during the defeat in Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)
Hertha’s Stevan Jovetic on the ground during the defeat in Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)

Why this bad luck?

Bobic: “The result is brutal. We created good chances but didn’t score. At the end there are two cucumbers that arise from chance. We have to take it as it is and stick with it.”

The situation in the relegation battle is coming to a head. Hertha remains without a win after seven games in the second half of the season. If Augsburg scores against Dortmund on Sunday, Hertha slips to relegation place 16.

Coach Tayfun Korkut (47): “I look at the table, otherwise it would be negligent. We have to score points as soon as possible.”

Hertha coach Tayfun Korkut at the game in Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)
Hertha coach Tayfun Korkut at the game in Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)

Korkut and Hertha (already conceded 54 goals) also need a new beacon of hope quickly!

Goalkeeper Lotka could be one of them. He says: “I’m happy about my debut, but the defeat hurts. I imagined it differently.”

Hertha keeper Marcel Lotka tackles the game in Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)
Hertha keeper Marcel Lotka tackles the game in Freiburg (Photo: City-Press GmbH)

Does he get his next chance against Frankfurt? Because the troubled Schwolow recently attracted bad luck tragically. It’s time for a fresh start at Hertha!

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