Hertha BSC won almost 2-1 (2-1) against VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday (May 6th, 2023). In Berlin they can therefore dream of staying up again. In Stuttgart, on the other hand, the mood was better.
The goals for Hertha were scored on Saturday (May 6th, 2023) by ex-Stuttgarter Marc Oliver Kempf (30th) and Florian Niederlechner (45th + 2). In the meantime, Serhou Guirassy had equalized for Stuttgart (38th).
After only the sixth win of the season, Hertha remains bottom of the Bundesliga table with 25 points, but has reduced the gap to relegation rank 16. There, as you can already guess, is VfB Stuttgart (28 points). For the Swabians it was the first defeat in the fifth league game under coach Sebastian Hoeneß.
Berlin’s coach Pal Dardai had said before the game that his team had to win all four games. Hertha took the first step. Dardai said to ARD radio: “Four games, four wins, that’s the only way.”
Herthas Kempf hits, he of all people
The lead for the Berliners fell after an actually unsuccessful corner. But Marco Richter got the ball in front of his right foot a second time and this time everything was right: the cross was precise, Kempf prevailed against two opponents in the penalty area and headed in. The ball bounced off the inside post and into the goal.
So Kempf, Kempf of all people: He used to be at VfB for three and a half years, was even captain for a while and now this goal.
Anyone who had expected that this leadership would give Hertha security was disappointed. The club have conceded the second most goals in the league, and after a cross from Sosa it became clear why: Josha Vagnoman was very free at the far post, he thoughtfully crossed Guirassy, who only had to push in.
Niederlechner’s goal premiere could still be important for Hertha
VfB Stuttgart also has problems on the defensive. In Berlin, injury time was already running in the first half when Dodi Lukebakio drew a free kick from the right half-field in front of the goal. Niederlechner reacted quickly, too quickly for everyone in Stuttgart. He touched the ball with his toes. Goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow may have been surprised by this, but he didn’t look particularly good when the ball rolled through his legs a fraction of a second later.
For Niederlechner, who came from Augsburg in the winter as a beacon of hope for the weakening offensive, it was the first goal in the Bundesliga for Hertha BSC. That’s what you call timing. They will see things differently at VfB. Coach Hoeneß told ARD radio: “The 1-2 was of course a killer for us.”
VfB Stuttgart demands a penalty but doesn’t get it
In the end, Niederlechner’s goal actually decided this relegation thriller. Because Stuttgart had a lot more of the game in the second half, but they didn’t score a goal. At first, they hardly created any chances.
Once, it was the 71st minute, then it suddenly got really exciting. Stuttgart demanded a penalty after defender Hiroki Ito ran the ball into Hertha’s penalty area and then fell to the ground. Only referee Deniz Aytekin had a different opinion, he had seen a fair tackle from Berlin’s Lucas Tousart. It was the right decision.
Hertha trembles to victory
In the final phase, Stuttgart intensified their offensive efforts again, and Hertha had to tremble again. First Hertha goalkeeper Oliver Christensen saved a shot by Vagnoman (82′), then Wataru Endo narrowly missed the Berlin goal (84′). And then, in the sixth minute of added time, Stuttgart’s joker Chris Führich got the ball in the penalty area, but was blocked twice in dire need.
Hertha BSC opens against Cologne
At the start of the 32nd matchday, Hertha BSC is a guest at 1. FC Köln (Friday, May 12th, 2023 at 8.30 p.m.). Stuttgart welcomes Bayer 04 Leverkusen two days later (3:30 p.m.).