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That’s what is called a good hand: coach Bruno Labbadia traded two players in the second half against 1. FC Union Berlin, who assured Hertha BSC victory against self-sacrificing “Iron”. Union had to play almost 70 minutes in the prestigious city derby at the start of the 10th day of the Bundesliga.
By Hartmut Bick
Hertha and Union parted ways on Friday night (December 4, 2020) 3: 1 (0: 1). The first goal for Taiwo Awoniyi’s guests (minute 20) was equaled by Peter Pekarik (51st). When they were outnumbered by almost 70 minutes after the red card against Robert Andrich (23), the “Iron” gave up their forces.
Krzysztof Piatek used that with a double (74th, 77th) to put Hertha’s first home win of the season under wraps. Union, however, lost again for the first time since Sept. 19.
“Wonderful feeling”
“I’m very happy. It’s a wonderful feeling. I’m a striker, and the most important thing for me is scoring goals and helping the team,” Piatek said on the DAZN broadcast service. “I’m happy for him. He’s always good,” Labbadia said. “I am very happy with the three points.”
The seventh edition of the derby of both teams in the professional leagues took place under an aspect that the Herthaners should not have liked: because the outsider from Köpenick was ahead of the already established first division club Charlottenburg in the table. The “Iron” entered the game against the “old woman” with an advantage of eight points.
Jubilation is followed by shock
The first minutes of the game revealed that it was not only about three points, but also about prestige. Both teams acted diligently, but above all with caution. So it took 20 minutes until the first opportunity to score. But that led directly to jubilation in Union: Marcus Ingvartsen beat several Hertha players, passing Awoniyi, who spit the ball just off the post (20th).
The low blow followed almost immediately: referee Felix Brych sent Unions Andrich into the shower with red because he had hit Lucas Tousart in the neck with a leg too high (23rd). “The red card was the crux of the matter,” Union coach Urs Fischer said. “Until then we were good in the game and we were able to take the lead. From my point of view we did very well until the break, Hertha were very efficient in the second half.”
Hertha too slow and out of ideas
Therefore, Union was outscored in nearly 70 minutes. However, Hertha’s offense was presented too slowly and out of ideas to penetrate the opponent’s red beam. Despite the excess weight in possession, it wasn’t until the 39th minute that Herthas Dodi Lukebakio headed freely from a corner kick into the Union penalty area, but goalkeeper Andreas Luthe did not pose any major problems.
Shortly before the half-time whistle, Lukebakio reappeared dangerously in front of Köpenicker’s goal, where Grischa Prömel was able to clear at the last minute.
Piatek with double pack
With the substitutions of Javairo Dilrosun (for Tousart) and Piatek (for Darida), Labbadia tried to give more offensive impulses in the second half. That soon paid off, albeit with the active help of Luthe. He let a shot from Matheus Cunha bounce directly off Pekarik, who then placed the ball in the left corner of Unión’s goal (51.) In the increasingly passionate game, the Köpenicker defended the tie with teeth and claws, and tried to put a puncture in the game.
Then it was Lute again who allowed Hertha to start the opening goal. His pass to the center of the field landed on the rival, Piatek finished the next attack after a pass from Dilrosun with a low shot, which was deflected to goal by Julian Ryerson, untenable for Luthe (74.). Only three minutes later, the Polish international striker finally put an end to the resistance of “Hierro” with his second goal after a direct acceptance (77th). Again came the pass from the left and Dilrosun.
“That hurts”
“That hurts,” Luthe said of the loss. “We fought for a long time when we were outnumbered and we bet on the stroke of luck.” The match ended with another bitter scene for the guests: Max Kruse, who this time could not give great accents, was injured in overtime and had to leave the field.
While Hertha will play for Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday afternoon of the next match day, Union will host Bayern Munich in the main match of the night.
Those: sportschau.de
