Five points from the last three games, actually not a bad record. Nevertheless, Hertha BSC struggles after the draw at FSV Mainz 05. Not only, but also because of the late equalizer. However, the Berliners do not want to see this as a setback.
Sandro Schwarz trotted through his former living room with a grim expression. The Hertha BSC coach had to struggle to smile for the many hugs he gave to old friends. The sting after the last-minute shock was deep. “Extremely bitter, it feels brutal,” said the 43-year-old after the 1-1 (1-0) win at his former club FSV Mainz 05.
However, the fact that his team confirmed the gentle upward trend of the previous weeks made him mild. “You can see the way we want to play football. That’s important,” said Schwarz. “But of course we would have liked to get one or the other result.” Instead of being in the middle of the table, the Berliners go into the international break after Anthony Caci’s late equalizer (90.4).
“Of course it’s not enough,” said captain Marvin Plattenhardt on the record of six points from seven games. At the moment, “a lot of little things” are going against Hertha. “Nevertheless, we have to look positively ahead – nothing helps.” Marc Oliver Kempf, who was replaced injured at halftime, saw it similarly.
“It hurts, but you can’t see it as a setback,” emphasized the defender. “The next step will be that in such a situation, if we lead with a goal, we’ll get there over time.” The late equalizer in Mainz was not necessarily in the offing, even though the capitals had slacked off in the second half with the deserved lead from Lucas Tousart (30th) in the back.
The black eleven limited themselves to defending, but allowed almost nothing except for the lucky punch in the last minute. Midfielder Jean-Paul Boetius complained that the passivity was “stupid”: “It feels like a defeat.” You simply played along with the Rheinhessen game with many uncontrolled long balls and neglected your own tactics.
But despite all the self-criticism, Hertha collected an impressive five points from the last three games. “It’s a different team than last year. They have a clear line with Sandro,” said opposing coach Bo Svensson. In addition to a clear line, the Berliners are now bringing a different mentality and a much more pronounced fighting spirit to the pitch than in the previous season.
“The collective is important,” emphasized Kempf: “You can see that we are growing together and are forming more and more of a unit on the pitch.” Playful elements and countable successes would then inevitably follow over time.
