Hertha BSC have won a treble again after two defeats in a row. At Eintracht Frankfurt, the capitalists proved extremely effective at the start of both halves.
Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner made four changes after the 2-1 win at Bayern Munich: Hasebe, Ndicka, Hauge and Lammers moved into the team for Ilsanker, Tuta, Toure and Borré (all bench).
Hertha coach Pal Dardai made five changes from the 1:2 defeat against Freiburg, starting Pekarik, Darida, Mittelstädt, Ascacibar and Piatek in place of Marton Dardai (muscle fibre tear), Tousart (ankle problems), Boateng, Jovetic and Selke (all on the bench).
Berlin misses 2:0 several times after Richter’s goal
In front of their vociferous 35,000 supporters, Frankfurt started a little better in their own stadium in a 3-5-2, but could not get past concentrated defending Capitals. Instead, the SGE were shocked early on: Darida, in his 200th Bundesliga game, brought a cross sharply into the penalty area, where Richter ran in and headed in from close range with the help of the inside post (7th). From then on, the visitors did more for the game in a 4-3-3 – Trapp prevented the next goal after Piatek’s flying header (18th).
Otherwise, both teams were often too imprecise with their opportunities. Eintracht frequently made mistakes at the back, as they did at the 0:1, and were very lucky after just over half an hour that Mittelstädt, free in front of goal, decided to make an inaccurate pass (32nd) and Piatek, ten minutes later, missed free in front of Trapp. Berlin keeper Schwolow, on the other hand, only had to intervene once, but he made a strong save on Jakic’s deflected shot (28). Otherwise, the SGE lacked the connection to the game in the first half.
Hertha score in the middle of Frankfurt’s pressure phase
After the restart, Eintracht presented a changed face. With two new players (Toure and Kamada), the SGE put more pressure on the newly formed 4-4-2 and took control of the game. The best opportunity in this phase belonged to Sow, who narrowly failed with his volley (53rd). Ndicka’s header was also close (60th).
But Hertha’s goalkeeper Schwolow did not really have to intervene. The same was true for Trapp on the opposite side, as Eintracht clearly dominated. But then Hertha BSC struck again. As in the first half, the ball found its way into the SGE goal on the visitors’ first shot on goal: Ekkelenkamp, who had been substituted shortly before, only had to push a sharp cross from Mittelstädt over the line (63rd). Frankfurt responded to the shock with furious attacks, but failed to finish dangerously.
Pacienca’s penalty goal is not enough
In the final phase, the game became exciting again, because Schwolow brought down Frankfurt’s Joker Pacienca in the penalty area (77.). The fouled player thanked him and scored from eleven metres (78.). After that, Eintracht pressed for the next goal, but could not find a way past the otherwise concentrated defence of the visitors from Berlin. Plattenhardt almost ensured the decision for them, but Trapp made a strong save from the free kick (86th).
Frankfurt are still waiting for their first win of the season in their own stadium and have to accept another defeat there after 22 unbeaten Bundesliga home games. Hertha BSC, on the other hand, celebrated an important win and moved past the SGE in the standings.
The Eintracht closes the upcoming matchday with an away game in Bochum (24.10., 19.30). Berlin hosts Gladbach the day before (18.30).
