Hertha and Cologne each knocked out a first division team in the cup during the week. In the top game of the second league, the Rhinelanders are better able to keep up the momentum and can look forward to a well-deserved success.
After the cup success against Kiel, <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/eintrachts-jakic-smolcic-would-be-a-good-fit-for-frankfurt-bundesliga/" title="Eintrachts Jakic: "Smolcic would be a good fit for Frankfurt" – Bundesliga“>1. FC Köln got back on track in the second division and stopped Hertha BSC‘s run. In the Berlin Olympic Stadium, Gerhard Struber’s team won 1-0 (1-0) in front of 68,763 spectators. Tim Lemperle scored the goal of the day in the 31st minute.
The guests from the Rhineland were able to celebrate a sense of success again after two previous league defeats. During the week, Cologne knocked first division club Kiel out of the cup 3-0. Hertha, which had won 2-1 over Heidenheim, missed its third league win in a row and the chance to jump to a promotion place.
The Bundesliga relegated team from Cologne is now temporarily in tenth place in the table after eleven games. Hertha is sixth. Both teams can still be overtaken by competitors on Sunday.
No chances to score for a long time
Both coaches relied on the starting lineups that had brought victory in the cup. Cologne started again with a three-man chain and Marvin Schwäbe in goal, who had played his first competitive game of the season against Kiel.
The backdrop was top-flight. On the field, however, both teams were unable to create a real chance to score in the first half hour. Cologne’s Dominique Heintz then found the gap in Hertha’s defense with a ball from her own half. Lemperle ran alone towards Berlin keeper Tjark Ernst and scored his fifth league goal to take the overall deserved lead.
Shortly after the restart, Hertha had its best chance to date. After a corner, Derry Scherhant shot at a teammate (46′). Shortly afterwards, captain Toni Leistner had to be replaced with an injury (52′). The Berliners got better and had a few opportunities.
On the other hand, Dejan Ljubicic missed a great chance to make it 2-0 (60th). Hertha kept trying, but had no luck.
jb/dpa
