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Goal number four for the Berliners
Photo:
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Hertha BSC lost 1:6 (0:1) to RB Leipzig at the end of the 23rd matchday in the Bundesliga.
Benjamin Henrichs gave RB the lead (20th minute), Christopher Nkunku (64th / penalty kick, 67th) scored twice, Dani Olmo (74th), Amadou Haidara and Yussuf Poulsen (88th) scored the other goals.
Stevan Jovetić (48th) scored for the Berliners.
Leipzig is fourth on the Champions League course.
And Berlin?
I would also like to play for the European Cup, but in truth I still have to worry about staying up in the league.
23 points after 23 games result in 15th place, the lead over the relegation rank is one point.
Berlin suffered its first setback before kick-off.
Six new corona findings ensured that Hertha went into the game against Leipzig with a severely weakened eleven.
A total of eight players were missing due to Corona.
The second setback came 20 minutes later, when Henrichs scored to give RB the lead (20').
First the full-back shot with his right on goal and failed to keeper Alexander Schwolow, then he took the follow-up shot with his left, this time he was successful.
The third setback happened after about an hour.
Marc-Oliver Kempf first let Nkunku go, then tugged at him from behind, Leipzig fell, the Berliner saw the red card – and Nkunku confidently converted the following penalty.
Berlin has been waiting for a win for six games
The Berliners had previously experienced their best phase: Shortly after the break, Jovetić equalized with a bit of luck, the attacker's shot was deflected decisively by RB defender Josko Gvardiol (48th).
Shortly afterwards, Jovetić missed the possible opening goal when he first volleyed a cross from Marco Richter and shot over the goal (51'), then narrowly missed the right post at the end of a combination (54').
Suddenly, Hertha wasn't just in the game, it seemed they were closer to the lead than the favourites.
Then it was 1:2, then it was 1:3, then it was 1:4.
Nkunku from the penalty spot and then assist from substitute Olmo, as well as Olmo himself dusting off a shot saved by André Silva, kept Berlin's Olympiastadion largely silent.
Haidara scored with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area (82').
Poulsen overcame goalkeeper Schwolow and had so much space that one was surprised.
Berlin has been waiting for a win for six games.
Coach Tayfun Korkut, who succeeded Pál Dárdai after matchday 13, has won just two of his 11 competitive games.
Numbers that are not encouraging.
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