By Paul Gorgas and Roberto Lamprecht
The nightmare is getting closer! Hertha loses the relegation cracker at Schalke 2: 5 and falls to the last place in the table. The Berliners have one foot in the second division. Now even coach Sandro Schwarz (44) is shaking.
Sports director Benjamin Weber on DAZN: “We are brutally disappointed. That was a real slap in the face!”
Can Weber guarantee that Schwarz Sonnabend will still be on the coaching bench against Bremen?
Weber: “Now is the wrong time. We generally have a clear stance and a clear conviction. But if you lose 2-5 on the last one – forgive me – we’ll go home and analyze the situation and talk. It goes without saying that we will turn every stone now.”
Schalke’s Tim Skarke turns jubilantly after scoring 1-0 against Hertha Photo: INA FASSBENDER / AFP
Schwarz himself even understands the doubts about his person, saying: “That’s realistic. I am responsible here. And judge myself harshly. We didn’t defend well. That broke our necks. We have to let everything sink in now, sleep on it one night.”
Hertha on the ground. And Schalke, previously bottom of the table and weakest team in the league at home, moves up to relegation place 16 for at least one day thanks to the win in front of 62,000 fans in the Veltins Arena and can dream of being rescued again.
Ex-Unioner Marius Bülter scored the early 2-0 for Schalke with a header. Hertha’s goalkeeper Oliver Christensen has no chance Photo: City Press
For Hertha, on the other hand, the nightmare begins after just 150 seconds!
The 0:1 scored with Tim Skarke (26) a Unioner – the right winger was only loaned from the Iron to Schalke!
Only ten minutes later it’s 0:2! This time Skarke crosses and ex-Unioner Marius Bülter heads the ball into the goal completely uncovered.
48 minutes: Schalke’s Simon Terodde scores to make it 3-1 Photo: David Indian song/dpa
Coach Schwarz tries to set an example, takes Tolga Cigerci out in the 26th minute (Serdar comes). Cigerci is angry, refuses to shake hands with assistant coach Tamas Bodog (52) and complains.
Your nerves are on edge!
Then that: Schalke’s goalkeeper ferryman injured his thigh (36th), the keeper Alexander Schwolow, who was loaned to Schalke by Hertha until 2025), comes in. Berlin’s fans who don’t like Schwolow sing: “Here we go!”
And really: Striker Stevan Jovetic (for Kanga in the starting XI) reduced the lead to 2: 1 (45 + 3) before the break.
The decision: Schalke’s Marius Bülter scored his second goal and made it 4-1 Photo: INA FASSBENDER / AFP
But hope doesn’t last long! This time Dardai misjudges Karaman, who runs through alone and lays on Terodde. The ex-Union pushes the ball over the line to make it 3:1.
It gets worse! With his 9th goal of the season, Bülter smashed goalkeeper Christensen – the 4:1 (78th). The 4:2 (84th) by Richter is only cosmetic. Kaminski increases the lead to 5:2 with a free kick (90′ + 2′).
A picture with symbolic power: Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz during the game against Schalke Photo: David Indian song/dpa
Herthas is knocked out and staggers helplessly into the 2nd division!
Captain Marvin Plattenhardt: “Five goals against Schalke, that’s unbelievable! We have to change a lot now.” Maybe also in the coaching position …