Hertha BSC took an important step in the relegation battle in the Bundesliga with a home win against 1. FC Köln – which is getting closer and closer for the Cologne team.
With the 2-0 (1-0) win over 1. FC Köln, Hertha BSC now have 14 points and relegated VfB Stuttgart from 15th place. FC, who have only picked up one point from their five most recent Bundesliga games, have 17 points closer to the relegation zone.
Adamyan misses from three meters
Both teams had recently suffered defeats. Cologne unfortunately lost 2-1 to Leverkusen, Hertha only conceded the decisive goal in Stuttgart in injury time. Hertha recovered better: After a throw-in, Herthas Marvin Plattenhardt crossed from the left, in the middle everyone from Cologne missed Wilfried Kanga, who headed in undisturbed (9th).
A little later, Cologne’s Sargis Adamyan missed a considerable shot when he had a great chance to equalize: Linton Maina had cleared it in the middle, but Adamyan jumped the ball and his shot from three meters went over the empty goal.
Cologne’s Sargis Adamyan puts the ball over the goal
Hertha lost Plattenhardt (24th), who had to leave the field injured. Both teams had chances to score more. Shortly before the half-time whistle the ball was in the Berlin goal, but the goal correctly did not count because of an offside position by the supposed Cologne goalscorer Linton Maina (45th).
Richter punished Cologne mistakes with the 2:0
After the restart, Cologne also had to change due to injury, Benno Schmitz had to leave the field and Kingsley Schindler came on for him. Dodi Lukebakio outplayed the Schindler on Cologne’s right a little later, his cross was blocked by Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, and Marco Richter made it 2-0 with a spirited shot (54′).
As a result, Hertha had the game under control and victory was no longer in danger. Cologne goalkeeper Schwäbe prevented the third Berlin goal when Lucas Tousart had a chance (86th).
This is how it will continue after the World Cup break
After the World Cup and the winter break, Hertha will be away in Bochum (Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Three hours later, Köln have to beat Werder Bremen at home.