By Roberto Lamprecht
First there is something on the fork, then it is poured!
Hertha only 1: 1 against Frankfurt. Things are off to a good start for the Berliners: on the occasion of his contract extension in 2023, bench presser Kevin-Prince Boateng has vouchers for doner kebabs distributed among the fans.
In the first home game after the 130th birthday (July 25), the fans present an impressive giant choreo: Grandpa reads the history of Hertha to his son and grandson (German champions 1930 and 1931). Boateng (on the bench at kick-off) can’t get enough of the show.
The fan choreo before the game for the club anniversary Photo: LISI NIESNER/REUTERS
Then it’s bucked on the pitch.
- Minute: Big buck from Kamada who bounces the ball too far. The ball comes to Lukebakio. He crosses calmly, Serdar heads the 1-0 from 8 meters.
New signing Kanga, like Ejuke in the starting XI for the first time, HAD to raise in the 23rd minute. But he pushes the ball over the goal from 5 meters after a Mittelstädt cross.
Hertha’s Suat Serdar celebrates his opening goal against Eintracht Frankfurt Photo: REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
Kamada makes up for his mistake as Hertha slips up…
- Minute: Hertha defender Uremovic loses the ball to Kolo Muani. The next buck! Kamada is there, pushes the ball in from 10 meters.
Kolo Muani scored the goal in the 6-1 draw against Bayern on Matchday 1, and he played the 1-1 draw in Berlin. The newcomer from Nantes was directly involved in Eintracht’s two league goals.
Excitement just before the end: Borre storms into the penalty area, wants to pass Hertha keeper Christensen. He probably touches the Eintracht striker with his hand on his foot. But is that enough for a penalty? Referee Willenborg first points to the point, then looks at the scene in the video for a good two minutes. In the end: NO penalty.
Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani (l) and Berlin’s Maximilian Mittelstädt fight for the ball Photo: dpa
Frustration at Hertha. Still no win in a mandatory game this season. Coach Schwarz had his team train in the Olympic Stadium especially to get the newcomers used to the atmosphere.
Breathe a sigh of relief at Eintracht: After the 1: 6 swatter against Bayern and the Supercup bankruptcy (0: 2 against Real), it’s enough for at least one point. Not much to see from Götze, who slips back into the starting XI. He doesn’t have a shot on goal and is only on the ball 43 times, but he is a very strong runner: 8.8 kilometers is the maximum value on the field for Eintracht when he was substituted (66th).