Hertha BSC retaliate for the bitter defeat in the first half of the season at city rival Union Berlin. Without a backdrop, the capital city duel has long missed the football class. Hertha then completes the highest victory in the city duel within ten minutes.
Berlin (dpa) - This time Vedad Ibisevic cheered very exemplary. With his second goal in the second game under coach Bruno Labbadia, the experienced veteran Hertha BSC led to the well-deserved 4: 0 (0: 0) victory in the Berlin ghost derby against 1. FC Union.
Just one minute after scoring his leading goal, Ibisevic also initiated Dodi Lukebakio's goal in the practically empty Olympic stadium (52nd minute) and thus played a key role in making amends for the painful 0-1 defeat against the city rivals in November in the first round match in the stadium at the Alte Försterei.
Matheus Cunha (61.) and Dedryck Boyata (77.) ensured the final result of Hertha's highest derby victory and the first ever at home in the Olympic Stadium. In contrast to the previous 3-0 win in Hoffenheim, the professionals also kept the correct Corona distance when celebrating the goal. Ibisevic drew special attention to this by hand signals.
With the second clear success, Hertha continued the upward trend under Labbadia and moved up to tenth place with 34 points at the start of match day 27 of the Bundesliga. Ascending Union, on the other hand, has to look at descending places with another 30 points.
Before the teams lined up for the minute of silence held at all stadiums on this matchday for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic, the Hertha anthem "Just Home" by Schlager bard Frank Zander sounded as usual in the practically empty huge concrete bowl. This time, however, the recording was questionable. The crackling and croaking from the speakers was a symbol for an initial phase with football-related obstacles.
"Energy" must bring his team into play, Labbadia had asked in an interview with Amazon Prime before the kick-off. The will to do so was clearly recognizable. But as predicted by the Hertha coach, Union initially practiced the robust defensive stance inherent in the Köpenickers with very little scope for the opponent - but not later.
Vladimir Darida, who returned as the only starting eleven variant after his suspension, tried to push the necessary impulses forward at Hertha headquarters. However, much remained piecemeal at first. So Lukebakio (20th) ran completely unchecked with the ball into the side.
Shortly before, the Belgian had failed in one of the few promising actions with a low shot at Union goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz. The Pole was also in the right place with a fine hoe trick by Matheus Cunha (27.) after the most worth seeing Hertha combination via Ibisevic and Lukebakio. The only dangerous goal action by the Iron was a free kick by Robert Andrich (44.) just before the half-time break just over the goal.
After the change of sides, the Hertha had ten minutes of momentum to show the rivals the limits. Ibisevic headed unopposed after a cross from Marvin Plattenhardt. Seconds later, Ibisevic sent Lukebakio freely towards the gate. Matheus Cunha had initiated his hit himself with a fine dribbling. Boyata brought the end point - in the first leg he had caused the ultimate penalty for Union.
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