The fan choreo before the game for the club anniversary Photo: LISI NIESNER/REUTERS
From BZ/dpa
For Kay Bernstein, the home premiere as President of Hertha BSC was an emotional roller coaster ride.
“Proud of the east curve and the brilliant choreo! Proud of every single fan! Shaken by the game from “It has to be that!” to “Thanks that it wasn’t!”
Kudos to the TEAM. Grateful for all these emotions,” tweeted the new head of the Berlin Bundesliga club after the 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
Hertha President Kay Bernstein on the fringes of the game against Frankfurt Photo: dpa
Like Boss Bernstein, the new Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz experienced his home debut with Hertha BSC with mixed feelings. “We got in very well, had 25, 30 great minutes and chances to make it 2-0. After that we were too passive,” the coach summed up an open game.
The lead by Suat Serdar (3rd minute) equalized Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada (48th). “I think we got that onto the field for the most part,” said Schwarz about his tactical guidelines for the team.
Hertha’s coach Sandro Schwarz on the sidelines against Eintracht Frankfurt Photo: dpa
Bernstein and Schwarz were relieved when referee Frank Willenborg reversed his penalty decision after goalkeeper Oliver Christensen made contact at the foot of Eintracht striker Rafael Borre shortly before the end after a long video study. “Not every physical contact has to be punished with foul for me,” said Schwarz, but also understood the frustration in Frankfurt because of the difficult decision.
Hertha BSC
After losing the cup against second division side Eintracht Braunschweig (5:6 on penalties) and losing the opening match in the Bundesliga in a city duel against Union Berlin (1:3), Schwarz can look to the future with a little more ease with the first point. The next game at Borussia Mönchengladbach is on Friday. It is unclear whether captain Marvin Plattenhardt will be fit again by then. The left-back missed the game against Frankfurt due to adductor problems.