Hertha BSC’s relegation is perfect. In the final against VfL Bochum, the old lady did not go beyond a 1-1 (0-0) draw.
The professionals from Hertha BSC sat dejectedly on the ground, coach Pal Dardai comforted each and every one of his protégés: The old lady has to start the bitter transition to the second division. Against VfL Bochum, Keven Schlotterbeck’s goal (90+4) was only enough for a 1:1 (0:0) – that was not enough to create the football miracle. The seventh Bundesliga relegation in club history is sealed.
“We didn’t get relegated today. Today we don’t have to be ashamed of the performance,” said Dardai on Sky, “we had five or six counter chances, we had to score more goals. In the end, goals like that happen. We played well .”
Lucas Tousart (63rd) had given Hertha the lead, Schlotterbeck then shot Hertha into the 2nd division. “You can’t blame the team, relegation didn’t happen today,” added Kevin-Prince Boateng and with tears in his eyes said: “It’s just bitter, I love the club.”
The last time Hertha had to go into the second division was in the 2011/12 season. In the previous season, the old lady had only saved herself in the relegation. With 26 points, 16th place can no longer be reached with one game to go before the end of the season. Bochum is not sure of relegation yet. Despite this, the Bochum players were enthusiastically celebrated by their supporters.
Hertha BSC: Christensen with several brilliant acts
The relegation exacerbates Hertha’s major structural problems. Due to the threatening financial situation, the license is currently in danger. The club must provide the German Football League (DFL) with proof of funding for the coming season by June 7th.
Hertha started with the right body language and went into the duels hard. The vote was expandable in the duel of the second weakest defense in the league. VfL attacker Philipp Hofmann was able to head the ball unchallenged from eleven meters – his shot just missed Oliver Christensen’s goal (5th).
As a result, the Berliners initially became more stable and increasingly shifted the game into the opposing half. A first shot by Tousart (14th) was harmless, but shortly afterwards cheers broke out in the Olympic Stadium, which was well attended by 70,692 spectators.
Dodi Lukebakio scored after a counterattack to make it 1-0 (17th). The goal was rightly annulled by referee Felix Brych because of a previous foul play. Hertha’s Stevan Jovetic had pulled Ivan Ordets’ jersey and brought him down.
The denied liberation knocked Hertha out of the concept. The order in a very intense encounter was increasingly lost. Bochum used the space and had great chances. Takuma Asano (30th) failed at the strong Christensen, shortly afterwards Philipp Förster (34th) had the lead on the foot. In return, Lukebakio (39th) missed the lead from an acute angle.
After the break, the game remained extremely intense. Hertha, doomed to win, increased their offensive efforts, Bochum also wanted the win. Tousart headed a corner for collective relief. Christensen let Berlin take a deep breath with another strong save against Asano (68th). The happy ending for the old lady was still missing.
