Thanks to Dodi Lukebakio, Hertha BSC achieved the hoped-for liberation in the Bundesliga. Coach Sandro Schwarz’s team deservedly won 2-0 (0-0) at FC Augsburg and finally got their first win on the fifth day of the game. The Berliners have now overtaken FCA, who have already suffered their fourth defeat, with four points.
Attacker Lukebakio gave Hertha the lead in the 57th minute with his second goal of the season. The ex-Augsburg Marco Richter eliminated the last doubts in the aftermath (90 + 3). Otherwise, 25,789 spectators had to be satisfied with football lean fare for long stretches.
“We are overjoyed to take the three points with us,” said Hertha captain Marvin Plattenhardt DAZN“We’ve improved in the last few weeks. That’s important for morale.”
It was the third home defeat of the season for FCA. The new coach Enrico Maassen is already under pressure before the game in Bremen. Hertha, on the other hand, averted the worst start to the season since 1990 (four defeats, one draw) and can take a deep breath before the home game against Leverkusen.
At FCA, striker Mergim Berisha, who was loaned out by Fenerbahce shortly before the transfer deadline, was in the starting XI. And the U21 European champion experienced a hard-fought game from the start in his Bundesliga debut. The Berliners looked a bit more mature in terms of play, but they were initially unable to capitalize on their superiority. The “old lady” acted too harmlessly to the front.
FCA initially had nothing to offer on the offensive either – until the 23rd minute: After a fine pass from Berisha, Ermedin Demirovic made his way to the Berlin goal on his own, but Filip Uremovic was the last man to knock him down. Hertha was very lucky that referee Harm Osmers only showed yellow. The VAR did not intervene.
At least Augsburg woke up a bit now. But Berisha only hit the outer post (28th). On the other hand, Chidera Ejuka (35th) just missed the target with Hertha’s best chance. That was it in an uneventful first half.
After the move, little changed at first. The Berlin lead fell almost out of nowhere when Lukebakio headed in a cross from captain Marvin Plattenhardt. Hertha then had the game largely under control. The limited FCA hardly managed to put pressure on despite offensive substitutions.
