Hertha is still alive. The Berliners sink deep into the relegation battle for a half-time, but recover in time. Two newcomers are pushing the Klinsmann vortex aside for the moment.
Dusseldorf (dpa) - The Berlin professionals fell exhausted on the lawn or looked incredulously on the scoreboard: In the middle of the Klinsmann chaos, Hertha BSC has demonstrated great sporting morale.
The radically converted team of coach Alexander Nouri came to a 3: 3 (3: 3) draw at Fortuna Düsseldorf on Friday evening after a 0: 3 deficit. An own goal by Erik Thommy (10th) as well as the goals of winter newcomers Matheus Cunha (66th) and Krzysztof Piatek (75th / foul meter) saved the battered capital club a point.
"The first half was a total fiasco. It's not that easy goals in the Bundesliga," said Per Skjelbred at the streaming service "DAZN" after the game. "We could almost have won. A very important point." Despite the goals of Kenan Karaman (6th and 45th + 1) and Thommy (10th), Düsseldorf remains in a relegation relegation squad and six points behind Berlin. "We have just become too passive," said goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier. "It's bitter in the end."
Nouri had made seven changes to his starting line-up after the desolate 0: 5 in the previous week against Cologne, two of them due to yellow cards. Among other things, goalkeeper Thomas Kraft was allowed to play in front of 31,632 spectators - the 31-year-old was one of the critics "without added value" in the minutes written for ex-coach Jürgen Klinsmann and published three days ago.
Shortly before the kick-off, Nouri optimistically announced a "bold" and "determined" appearance in Düsseldorf. A long, high pass from midfield was enough to destroy Hertha plans early. Karaman ran away from the indisposed Berlin back team and gave strength from close range no chance. Thommy's fifth goal of the season made the guests' situation worse.
The Berlin changes had little effect. Of the field players, only Dedryck Boyata, Karim Rekik, Piatek and Cunha were allowed to play in Düsseldorf from the start. "My job is to prepare the team as best as possible. That is what we are concentrating on," said Nouri of the Klinsmann vortex.
Berlin came after the double setback to opportunities. Piatek failed from an acute angle (12th) and to Düsseldorf's goalkeeper Kastenmeier (30th), who was also on hand against former Fortuna professional Dodi Lukebakio (14th) and Cunha (23rd). But the Berlin game was far from mandatory. Karaman was able to score his second goal shortly before the break.
Only Thommy's own goal changed the game. Cunha went straight ahead and aroused long-lost Berlin hopes. Piatek, previously fouled by Kastenmeier, cheered cheerfully after the penalty goal with the traveling fans. Cunha failed shortly before the end at the Düsseldorf goalkeeper (90th).
Fortuna coach Uwe Rösler had deployed the same team that convinced the previous week at 2-0 in Freiburg. With games in Mainz, against Paderborn and in Cologne, Düsseldorf will also have decisive weeks ahead. Fortunately, Fortuna's ex-trainer Friedhelm Funkel had spoken in the newspaper "Die Welt" before the game. The 66-year-old also found Klinsmann's behavior "underground".
Squad Fortuna Düsseldorf
Squad Hertha BSC
