Augsburg (dpa) – Even when Kevin-Prince Boateng had long since been replaced, he still directed his team from the sidelines.
Felix Magath sat stoically on the coaching bench, instead the 35-year-old Hertha leader gave his teammates continuous, wildly gesticulating instructions in the 1-0 win over FC Augsburg. Boateng accompanied his loud instructions after his comeback in the starting XI with a gesture that asked his team-mates to stick out their chests.
Magath’s plan worked. Before the game at Table-14. the 68-year-old had complained about the lack of leading players in Berlin. Boateng, who enjoys a high reputation in the team, should judge it from his beloved position as playmaker. He delivered – and directed Hertha away from the direct relegation zone in the Bundesliga. “He’s very important for our team. He talks to the players a lot. He organizes. We needed a character like that,” praised Magath.
Boateng not finished yet
Many had already written off the native Berliner. “I don’t look like a player who’s already finished. I’m just happy. There was so much criticism against the team and myself,” said Boateng.
The numbers spoke for him on Saturday. With 86 percent of duels won, Boateng recommended himself impressively for more. In Hertha’s crucial weeks, he could become a permanent solution.
“Now we still have four finals,” said Boateng, looking at the end of the season. Next week we will face our direct competitor VfB Stuttgart. Then Arminia from Bielefeld, who are also threatened with relegation, is waiting. “We can prepare for the next final for a week. I hope we can close the sack as soon as possible so that we can have some fun at the end,” said Boateng.
Magath satisfied but not euphoric
Above all, his coach had fun, and acknowledged Hertha’s “great, fighting performance”. “We finally showed what you have to show in a relegation battle,” said Magath. Nevertheless, there is no reason for euphoria. “In the end, little has changed in the situation. We’re still under pressure,” analyzed Magath.
Accordingly, he wants to “continue to work just as intensively”. Only then would his team have a chance against Stuttgart. Magath left it open whether the leading figure Boateng would be in the starting XI again. It wouldn’t be a surprise, like in the game against Augsburg, after the performance on Saturday.