Hertha’s midfielder Lukas Michelbrink sits disappointed on the pitch. He had imagined the semi-final first leg of the U19s against Borussia Dortmund very differently Photo: City Press
By Oliver Knack
Hertha’s U19s went into the semi-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund with great expectations. It turned out to be a huge disappointment.
More than 2600 spectators, including professional trainers Sandro Black as well as the former U19 coach Michael Hartman (now U17 at Bayern Munich) came to the throwing ground at the Olympic Stadium on Easter Monday. Hertha U19s’ semi-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund’s juniors.
But the Hertha supporters experienced a bitter disappointment. With 0: 4 (0: 3) the Berliners went under. Quadruple goalscorer: Julian Rijkhoff (18).
Dortmund striker Julian Rijkhoff (2nd from left) celebrates his third goal. In the second half he also scored to make it 4-0 Photo: City Press
The game was actually over after 18 minutes. Because it was already 0:3. The Dutchman Rijkhoff had coldly used three chances to score a hat-trick (10th/ 16th/ 18th).
Under the eyes of professional coach Sandro Schwarz (r.), Hertha’s U19s lost 4-0 to Borussia Dortmund Photo: City Press
It took Hertha coach Oliver Reiß’s team a long time to process this shock. Dominik Schickersinsky had the best chance of equalizing with a lob (28th).
BVB didn’t allow much more. And goalscorer Rijkhoff finally put the lid on it with the 4:0 (87th). In the second leg on Saturday (April 15), the Berliners need more than just a small miracle to make it into the final.