By Roberto Lamprecht
His first home win as Hertha president moved him to tears! After the final whistle against Schalke (2:1), Kay Bernstein (42) stood in the stands with tears in his eyes, visibly moved.
► Of the Trigger: The winning goal by striker Wilfried Kanga (24) in the 88th minute after five winless games in the Olympic Stadium. After a strenuous first few months in office, including Windhorst-Zoff, the pressure on Bernstein also dropped.
The Hertha President about his tears for the BZ: “At that moment, a lot added up, which then opened the creek. A burden of responsibility fell off after the last few weeks. The first home win this season – and with this game dramaturgy – was a feeling of relief. The 60,000 fans deserved it so much to finally be able to say goodbye with a win and three points and a great week.”
Kay Bernstein has teary eyes Photo: DAZN
Tears ran down Bernstein’s shoulders and the pros once again celebrated fantastically on the east curve. How soft in the last few weeks – regardless of errors and results.
There is a new sense of togetherness at Hertha! Bernstein: “On the one hand, that’s because there’s a real team on the pitch. Who gives the fans the feeling that she really gives everything for the club. The fans appreciate that.”
The team celebrates the first home win extensively with the fans in the east stand Photo: City Press GmbH
Manager Fredi Bobic (50) also sees it this way: “The fans appreciate what has happened here since the summer. There has to be a team on the pitch that puts its heart on the pitch – just like in Leipzig. Mentality is a basic requirement. When that happens, the team is celebrated even after defeats. When the fans feel that their team is giving their all – then both sides are a community.”
And the second factor for the new we-feeling is Bernstein himself, who had stood in the curve as Ultra’s pre-singer from 1998 to 2006. He gives the fans the feeling that they finally belong again.
Bernstein on the BZ: “For the first time since the summer, the fans have the feeling of having won. Because they feel: We have the club back!”
Manager Fredi Bobic (left) and President Kay Bernstein talk during the game against Schalke Photo: picture alliance/dpa
Manager Bobic on the noticeable change in mood in the stands: “Kay is a child of the curve, the fans can feel that. It gives all Herthan residents a sense of togetherness and unity.”
By the way: The one-sided permanent rivalry with Gelsenkirchen, as Hertha’s active fan scene only calls Schalke, had nothing to do with Bernstein’s tears. He says: “In this moment of happiness, only Hertha and our universe counted.”
