Hertha loses the crime thriller in the very last second

By Roberto Lamprecht

Hertha is after the third bankruptcy in a row on the abyss – relegation place 16. Now it’s only against relegation!

The Berliners would have needed six points from the last two games to get out of the basement before the World Cup break. With a win against Cologne on Saturday, there can only be three points left…

Catastrophic! Hertha keeps slipping!

Also because the Berliners slept through the start against Stuttgart’s snoring noses (conceded eight goals in the first quarter of an hour). VfB striker Guirassy wins the running duel against Kempf after a Tomas pass and scores with the host’s first shot to make it 1-0 (3rd minute).

Luckily Hertha has Dodi! Lukebakio pushed a Kenny cross into the net against the direction in which goalkeeper Müller was running to make it 1-1 (19′). Before that, he also shakes off opponent Anton with a great body deception. The Belgian is the only Hertha player in gala form and is getting closer and closer to his World Cup dream after the 7th goal of the season.

But one dodi is not enough. The bitter numbers at half-time: Stuttgart wins more duels (72 percent), has more ball possession (66%) and shots on goal (9:5). Hertha runs five kilometers more (60:55).

After the break, coach Sandro Schwarz brings three new players. Joker Sunjic has a huge chance, Müller clears (67th). Then VfB defender Mavropanos saves against Tousart on the line (68th).

Then the shock! In the 77th minute, Hertha’s Sunjic and Stuttgart’s Endo bang their heads in the air. The Japanese apparently loses consciousness in the air and hits the ground unchecked. Goalkeeper Müller storms in and puts Endo in a stable side position.