From BZ/dpa
Before Toni Leistner disappeared into the depths of the Olympic Stadium as the last Berlin player, he threw his blue and white jersey to a few screaming Hertha fans.
“I always leave my heart on the pitch, it seems to be rewarded,” Leistner said of his newfound popularity, which was probably also related to Hertha’s highest league win since August 2013 (6-1 against Frankfurt). With the 5:0 (2:0) of the Berlin second division soccer team against Greuther Fürth, not only the piece of cloth from the new captain was a welcome souvenir. After the top departures during the week from ex-captain Marco Richter, Suat Serdar and Dodi Lukebakio, Hertha presented themselves strongly on Saturday.
Captain Toni Leistner celebrates with Haris Tabakovic’s “dirty goal” to 1-0 against Fürth Photo: City Press
“We were there from the first second, we went up front, didn’t want to give the opponent any rest,” said Leistner, who played with a mask after breaking his nose against HSV. “I’m glad we didn’t stop going for the next goal. That’s absolutely positive.” Double goalscorer Haris Tabakovic said: “It’s important for the whole team to experience this positive feeling: scoring goals, winning.”
Due to the well-deserved home win on the fourth day of play, the Berliners gave up the last place in the table to promoted SV Elversberg. Tabakovic (23rd and 77th minute), Marten Winkler (31st), Palko Dardai (46th) and Smail Prevljak (66th) scored the goals in front of 35,291 spectators in the Olympic Stadium. Guest coach Alexander Zorniger saw the yellow-red card (55th). Hertha trainer Pal Dardai praised: “The boys did everything perfectly.”
Palko Dardai scores 3-0 against Greuther Fürth Photo: City Press
A blunder by Fürth’s goalkeeper Jonas Urbig led to Berlin’s first goal of the season. After a sharply played back pass, the 20-year-old took the ball badly and shot the rushing Tabakovic while trying to clear – from there the ball bounced into the goal. “I just saw that the goalkeeper was making the ball control a bit far and I saw that maybe my chance was lurking there and then I went full throttle and it worked,” commented Tabakovic. Probably “a piece of dirt” had to come here, “so that the knot finally bursts,” said Leistner.
Hertha with debutant Michal Karbownik, who defended on the left back, also impressed in the further course with high commitment, combined with playful class. Even if the opponent helped here and there, the relegated team seems to have finally found their way after three defeats at the start.
“We now have to confirm that in Magdeburg,” said Leistner. “Then we can talk about whether that was the knot remover or not.”