In the 2nd Bundesliga, Hertha BSC only played 2:2 (2:1) against Fortuna Düsseldorf on Sunday (January 21, 2024), despite leading twice. There were numerous expressions of mourning around the first competitive game after the death of President Kay Bernstein.
The goals for Hertha were scored by Haris Tabakovic (30th minute) and Derry Scherhant (45th + 1), while Ísak Jóhannesson (44th) and Christos Tzolis (50th) were successful for Fortuna. In the table, Düsseldorf (fifth place, 31 points) kept Hertha (eighth place, 26 points) at bay. So much for sports.
Philipp Höppner, Sportschau, January 21, 2024 6:42 p.m
Because of course this game was one in which points were at stake. And yet it was about so much more. “It’s not always just about football,” said Düsseldorf’s André Hoffmann. “It’s really difficult for me to give an everyday interview.”
To the live ticker: Hertha – Düsseldorf Arrow right 18th matchday Arrow right
When Tabakovic took the lead for Hertha BSC, his celebration was subdued. It was also a sign of mourning. Tabakovic held up a black T-shirt that read: “We Herthaners – in deep sadness.” This afternoon Berlin mourned Kay Bernstein, the president of Hertha, who died unexpectedly on Tuesday night at the age of 43.
Before the game there was a funeral march to the stadium, parts of the fan scene initially refrained from verbal support for the footballers on the pitch. Banners commemorating amber were on display. Both teams wore mourning ribbons. Coach Pal Dardai told ARD radio that he had been at Hertha for almost thirty years. The situation is “very difficult” to process.
Lars Becker, Sportschau, January 21, 2024 5:20 p.m
Dardai had already given “Sky” an interview before the game. He said: “You can’t put into words how difficult the last few days have been. I can feel what’s going on here. It’s going to be an oppressive atmosphere and a difficult day.”
Two leads for Hertha, but only one point
Hertha BSC scored two goals this afternoon, both of which were well played and spectacularly accomplished. First Scherhant passed for Tabakovic, who then moved into the penalty area and then hit the top right corner with his left foot. For Tabakovic it was the tenth goal of the season and at the same time the end of a dry spell. The attacker last scored in the league at the end of October.
Twelve minutes after the opening goal, Tabakovic almost scored again, but his shot hit the left post. The Berliners did score once before the break: Scherhant benefited from a bad pass from Düsseldorf goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier, then he moved quickly towards the goal and hit the right corner with his right foot.
Hertha went into the break with a narrow lead. Shortly before Scherhant’s goal, Fortuna from Düsseldorf was also able to celebrate. The ball landed at Jóhannesson via Tziolis and Vincent Vermeij. The Icelander shot from almost 20 meters and hit the goal half high on the right. It was his first goal in the 2nd Bundesliga.
Herthas Kempf owes two penalties against Düsseldorf
The fact that it was still not enough for Hertha to achieve their eighth win of the season was due to Düsseldorf’s Fortuna, who found their way into the game better and better in the second half. “Then we dominated the game,” Düsseldorf coach Daniel Thioune told ARD radio. But it was also due to the work of Berlin defender Marc Oliver Kempf, who conceded two penalties in just six minutes. “That’s not possible,” said Berlin coach Dardai. He replaced Kempf a few minutes later.
Lars Becker, Sportschau, January 21, 2024 5:07 p.m
First Kempf hit opponent Jona Niemiec on the foot in the penalty area and was shown yellow for it. Tziolis converted the penalty kick. Shortly afterwards, Niemiec and Kempf met again. Düsseldorf’s Niemiec passed Herthan’s Kempf and then went down. Referee Robert Kampka immediately awarded a penalty. Tziolis stepped up again, but this time he shot wide of the goal.
Hertha protests, but doesn’t get a penalty
There were three more upsets in this game, and Herthas Tabakovic was the focus twice. First he pulled away from the edge of the penalty area following an assist from Scherhant and hit the ball well. But his shot didn’t land in the goal, it landed on the side netting (72′). Then Tabakovic went down in a duel with Jordy de Wijs and called for a penalty. Berlin’s top scorer was already hit, but referee Kampka wasn’t enough to blow the whistle. The VAR also had no objections to this decision.
And then, just as stoppage time had begun, Fortuna appeared dangerously in front of the Berlin goal once again. Substitute Christoph Daferner passed for Tziolios, who shot with his left foot but narrowly missed the goal.
Hertha in Wiesbaden, Fortuna against St. Pauli
The Berliners will be guests at Wehen Wiesbaden next matchday (Saturday, January 27th, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.). Düsseldorf is challenged in the evening game against the “Kiezkicker” of FC St. Pauli (8.30 p.m.).