Hertha BSC – VfB Stuttgart 2: 1: Berlin celebrates a vital victory

Bottom light Hertha BSC is not giving up in the Bundesliga relegation battle: After the 2: 1 (2: 1) in the basement duel with VfB Stuttgart, the Berliners can continue to hope for relegation.

In the last few seconds, the Hertha BSC players demanded even more support from their fans, coach Pal Dardai kept pointing to his watch on the sidelines – and as the 2-1 (2-1) success in the basement duel with VfB Stuttgart the redeeming final whistle was perfect, President Kay Bernstein threw up his arms jubilantly in the stands. Last light Berlin has preserved its last spark of hope for relegation in the relegation battle.

“That was a great performance,” said Hertha’s winning goal scorer Florian Niederlechner in the catacombs of the Olympic Stadium and felt “pure relief.” The goals from the ex-Augsburg player (45′ + 2′) and before that from Marc Oliver Kempf (29′) ensured the capital club’s important success after eight games without a win.

With 25 points on the account, however, the situation is still precarious for Hertha, which only saved itself in the relegation last year. In the remaining three games, the Berliners are still under pressure and at the same time have to hope for blunders from the competition.

Serhou Guirassy (38th) scored the goal for Stuttgart, who are still in the middle of the relegation battle after the first league defeat under coach Sebastian Hoeneß. With only three points ahead of Berlin, VfB cannot breathe a sigh of relief either.

Hertha – Stuttgart: “The second step next week”

Niederlechner now also sees the momentum in his team. “I’m proud of our team, how everyone threw themselves into every ball at the end. The same goes for relegation battles. That was the first step for us, we have to take the second next week,” said the veteran.

Before the game, Hertha coach Dardai unequivocally specified the route to be taken to save Berlin: “Four games, four wins.” Against Stuttgart he had to “send out a team that has the winning mentality and can handle the pressure”. Hoeneß had meanwhile emphasized that he and his team were “energetic, positive, powerful” and full of optimism despite the defeat in the DFB Cup semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt (2: 3).

After a first scan, the Swabians came dangerously in front of the goal and immediately challenged Hertha keeper Oliver Christensen in the early stages. Berlin tried to control the game and had their first good opportunity through Lucas Tousart, the shot went just wide to the left (12′). A little later, Dodi Lukebakio (14th) also missed.

Hertha got into the game better and better, Kempf rewarded the offensive efforts. Stuttgart pushed for an equaliser, and Guirassy finally scored from close range. Niederlechner answered shortly before half-time, pushing the ball over the line in the turmoil.

After the break, Stuttgart continued to look for a way forward. But Hertha defended fiercely and VfB couldn’t get through in an intense game.

Hertha BSC – VfB Stuttgart: The lineups

Berlin: Christensen – Kenny, Uremovic, Kempf (76th Serdar), Plattenhardt – Tousart, Dardai (75th Rogel) – Lukebakio (64th Mittelstädt), Jovetic, Richter (76th Ejuke) – Niederlechner (64th Ngankam). – Coach: Dardai

Stuttgart: Bredlow – Anton (71st Perea), Zagadou, Ito – Vagnoman, Endo, Haraguchi (56th Führich), Sosa – Millot, Tomas (46th Katompa Mvumpa) – Guirassy. – Trainer: Hoeness

Hertha BSC – VfB Stuttgart: The data for the game

Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Oberasbach)

Gates: 1-0 Kempf (29′), 1-1 Guirassy (38′), 2-1 Niederlechner (45’+2′)

Viewers: 63,443

Best Players: Richter, Christensen – Vagnoman, Guirassy