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.