Old Lady shows life to leave Gladbach in defeat
Die Alte Dame were hoping to end their torrid run of four straight defeats since the season’s restart, and the hosts were given an early sign that Marcus Thuram, who already had 10 league goals to his name this season, posed a genuine threat as he narrowly headed over the bar after getting on the end of a Luca Netz corner. Hertha were desperately struggling with Gladbach’s set pieces, and inevitably fell behind inside 20 minutes. Nico Elvedi was allowed a free header from a Netz corner, and the Swiss made no mistake as Hertha fell behind before the break for the fifth game in succession.
That setback only served to galvanise Sandro Schwarz’s men, who raised the tempo and drew level. Incisive play down the right opened up the Gladbach defence, as Marco Richter fed Jessic Ngankam to slide home the equaliser at the back post. Daniel Farke’s men were now the team under pressure, and failed to withstand it after the restart to fall behind. 21-year-old defender Marton Dardai scored his first-ever senior goal with a wonder-strike from 30 yards that flew in off the crossbar to complete a turnaround.
Hertha were clinging on, desperate to end a four-match losing streak, and were able to limit Gladbach to few chances in the latter stages, despite Alassane Plea doing his best to cause problems after coming on as a substitute. Dodi Lukebakio ought to have wrapped up the game for the hosts when he found himself bearing down on goal with moments remaining, however, the Belgium striker blazed his effort over the bar to ensure the tension remained in the final minutes.
Luckily for Lukebakio, his miss wouldn’t prove costly, although Hertha goalkeeper Oliver Christensen was forced into a stunning save to deny Thuram right at the death. Relief would soon descend on the Olympiastadion, as youngster Derry Scherhant wrapped up the game with a well-placed strike, before Lukebakio netted from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to wrap up a potentially priceless victory.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marco Richter (Hertha Berlin)