From BZ/dpa
The Hertha BSC players sank to the ground, completely exhausted. After 90 minutes of fighting, Fabian Reese and Co. barely dragged themselves to the obligatory high five with the winners of FC St. Pauli. After two wins in a row, the Berliners suffered a defeat against the new leaders of the 2nd Bundesliga on Saturday evening.
Hertha lost 1:2 (0:1) at home against the Hanseatic League, who have been unbeaten since April, and remain in the middle of the table. Thanks to the better goal difference, Pauli moved to the top ahead of local rivals Hamburger SV. Johannes Eggestein (25th minute) with his first goal since November and Marcel Hartel (74th) with a header had put the guests in the lead. Hertha joker Derry Scherhant (83′) only scored the goal.
Immediately before kick-off, ex-Herthan player Kevin-Prince Boateng prepared the Olympic Stadium for an emotional evening a few weeks after retiring. The former offensive player sent a declaration of love to his youth and heart club over the stadium loudspeakers. “I’m from Herthan. I will always remain loyal to this club. Ha, Ho, He forever,” Boateng shouted to the packed East Curve.
From the stands, the 36-year-old saw his Berliners get off to a committed start. The team that had achieved the dramatic last-minute victory in Kiel initially did not pose a goal threat themselves, but did a good job of keeping the guests away from their own goal. Just as Hertha was venturing more and more forward, the goal was scored. Eggestein’s first attempt from the turn was well parried by Tjark Ernst, but he was powerless to make the follow-up shot.
Ernst was almost tested again before the break. According to the video images, referee Deniz Aytekin took back a penalty.
After half-time, Fabian Hürzeler’s team initially pushed for a 2-0 lead, with the home team deep in their own half. As the game went on, Hertha moved closer to the opponent’s penalty area. However, the Berliners lacked clear chances to score.
Derry Scherhant scored the next goal Photo: City-Press GmbH
As a result, a lively back and forth developed. Pauli repeatedly managed to advance into the Berlin penalty area. However, the guests were too imprecise when closing the goal. A shot from Eggestein (65th) flew just over the crossbar, a header from Hartel hit it right on it. At the second attempt, the Pauli captain didn’t miss his goal. Hertha only managed to score again through Scherhant.