Rune Jarstein with a fist save – but he blundered once Photo: City Press
By Paul Gorgas
In Burton’s Pirelli Stadium Hertha gets under the wheels.
Coach Sandro Schwarz’s team lost their first and only test match against a first-division club. In the endurance test with Premier League promoted Nottingham Forest, the Berliners conceded a 1: 3. The next test bankruptcy after the 0: 1 against third division Derby at the weekend.
Hertha, that’s notting in the Bundesliga! It will not work like that!
Especially in the first half, the 3200 spectators see how the English can always free themselves from Hertha’s newly rehearsed pressing. The Black Elf itself hardly has any chances to score.
And falls behind early: In the 9th minute, Forests Williams gets past Plattenhardt too easily after a free kick, McKenna puts his cross across to Taylor, who scores to make it 1-0.
Hertha’s Derry Scherhant is attacked hard Photo: City Press
Curious: Taiwo Awoniyi and Moussa Niakhate, two former Mainzers, who made their Bundesliga debut under ex-05er Sandro Schwarz, start at Nottingham.
And the old acquaintances from Nottingham get a present – from Hertha keeper Rune Jarstein. The Norwegian lets a long pass bounce in front of von Taylor’s feet, who only has to insert it to make it 2-0 (20th minute).
Hertha’s Dedryck Boyata in a duel with ex-Unioner Taiwo Awoniyi Photo: Reuters
Positive: Hertha is not shocked by the early double shock. Above all, talented Derry Scherhant keeps turning things up – and heads the 1:2 in the 45th minute after a Plattenhardt free-kick.
During the break, Black makes nine changes, only Scherhant and Jarstein remain. Substitute Lee is injured. And talent Ullrich pushes a cross pass into his own goal. Pity!