January 23, 2021 – 10:09 pm Clock
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Berlin (AP) – Bruno Labbadia stood bitterly disappointed with both hands in his coat pockets on the edge of the field and repeatedly shook his head grimly.
The future of the Hertha BSC coach is more uncertain than ever after the 1: 4 (1: 2) against Werder Bremen – according to the “Bild” newspaper, the separation is imminent. “I got to know and appreciate those responsible in Berlin so much that you come to me before you go public,” commented Labbadia on the speculations: “We have such a relationship.”
Manager Michael Preetz did not confirm the supposedly imminent separation in the ZDF’s “Current Sports Studio”. “Please, I’m here in the stadium immediately after the game. We sat together in the dressing room and didn’t discuss any decisions,” said the 53-year-old, who himself has come under heavy criticism.
The Berliners had to admit defeat in the Olympic Stadium despite some clear superiority and wait after the second home defeat within four days just before the relegation zone for a victory for four games. “A brutal disappointment,” said Labbadia, visibly touched. “It would be a mistake to blame the team for not wanting to.”
Captain Niklas Stark did not comment on the coach question. “It’s not my decision, not my business. I come every day and give 100 percent and try to get out of there with the team,” he said. The team urgently needs to score. “And that has to come first. No matter how. If we don’t get the points, we’ll see each other again below.”
Former Herthan Davie Selke (10th minute) with a penalty kick, Ömer Toprak (29th), Leonardo Bittencourt (56th) and Joshua Sargent (78th) scored the goals for Werder at the start of the second half of the Bundesliga pushed the cleverly and efficiently played victory to twelfth place. “We were very effective today,” said Maximilian Eggestein. At the moment it’s just about getting points.
For Hertha, Jhon Cordoba (45th + 2) could only shorten stoppage time in the first half. Matheus Cunha (20th) failed with a penalty kick against Werder goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka. Hertha remains two points ahead of the relegation rank in 14th place and is miles away from its own claims.
Around 250 Hertha fans had demonstrated in front of the Olympic Stadium for a replacement from Preetz and President Werner Gegenbauer before kick-off. In their extremely negative mood, the small opposition group quickly felt confirmed by the course of the game. Everything went wrong for the Berliners once again. Maximilian Mittelstädt brought Romano Schmidt off his feet unnecessarily. Ironically, Selke, deported from Hertha to Bremen last year, safely converted the penalty. Later, the attacker had to leave the court with his thigh bandaged.
Cunha tried to boost the Hertha game but also confirmed his reputation as a mini-Neymar. Theatrically he rolled over after a foul by Bittencourt (15th). Jean-Manuel Mbom gave the Brazilian a nudge in the penalty area shortly afterwards. The fouled self-confidently grabbed the ball, but missed the penalty as did Krzysztof Piatek recently in the 3-0 draw against Hoffenheim.
More possession, clear visual superiority. None of this was of any use. Because Toprak escaped Lucas Tousart at the corner and headed in with the second Bremen chance for the second goal. Labbadia could only pull her hair, which was always well laid. Shortly before the break came the sign of hope: Cordoba heaved a header into the goal. 325 minutes of goalless Hertha time were over.
The Berliners started the second half with a swing. Cunha (47th) had a chance to equalize. His shot wasn’t placed enough. A little later, Bittencourt showed how to do it. He elegantly took the ball while spinning and pushed it in to make it 3-1. A blow in the neck for the Berliners, who further intensified the offensive. Again Cunha (66th) could not use a clear chance. Cordoba (74th) headed too central. Bremen followed up with Sargent’s long-range shot and routinely brought the victory over time.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210123-99-144239 / 6
Source: DPA
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