The earnings crisis remains true to Hertha BSC. But the strong first half against Bochum gives hope – and the successful debut of Marc Oliver Kempf.
He was the best duel in his team, had a good pass and was a powerful driver – but Marc Oliver Kempf wasn’t really happy after his debut for Hertha BSC. “I did quite well, but the goal I conceded really annoyed me,” said the central defender after the 1-1 (1-0) win at home against VfL Bochum.
With Sebastian Polter’s equalizer (48′), in which goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow helped with an unlucky shot at the goal scorer’s feet, the Berliners are still stuck in the earnings crisis. They haven’t won in five competitive games, and relegation remains a real danger.
But there is also hope. In the first 45 minutes, Hertha showed playfulness, dynamism and an offensive drive, “I think that was the best half-time since I’ve been here,” said coach Tayfun Korkut.
And at the back, Kempf stabilized the second most vulnerable defense in the league. “He seemed very confident in every action,” enthused Korkut about the new signing from Stuttgart: “You can already see that he will definitely help us.”
“The next games can come”
For all 3000 spectators in the Olympic Stadium it was also clear that the interaction with central defender colleague Niklas Stark worked splendidly.
Both were once European champions side by side in the U19 and U21, now they should keep the shop closed at Hertha. “It’s good to have him next to me,” said Stark at “DAZN”: “The next games can come.”
In the coming game on Saturday at bottom SpVgg Greuther Fürth, a win should and must be there again. If Hertha build on the strong first half against Bochum, the chances are good. But if you let yourself be overwhelmed by changes and substitutions, as happened after the change of sides, it will be difficult.
“It was a bit louder at half-time,” admitted VfL coach Thomas Reis: “We changed the system and brought in a player with presence in Polter.” The equitable division of points in the end gives both relegation candidates hope of staying up in the league.