Hertha BSC slowly makes her way into the desired tabletop region. The victory against Mönchengladbach is the reward for a great commitment.

Berlin (dpa) – The Hertha BSC can laugh again. With the fourth win of the season, the Berliners put their crisis behind them and Borussia Mönchengladbach spoiled the cup cracker’s dress rehearsal against FC Bayern Munich.

With the 1-0 (1-0) in a hectic and combative game, the Hertha overtook the contender in tenth place and came into direct contact with the top half of the Bundesliga table. Marco Richter (40th minute) scored the decisive goal in front of 25,000 spectators and gave his coach Pal Dardai more job security.

After the last three games unbeaten, Borussia could not regain confidence for the cup classic on Wednesday. In terms of constitution, the ruling Bavarians certainly can’t be annoyed again like they were in the 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga opener.

Dardai and his Gladbach colleague Adi Hütter wanted continuity and stability for their teams this season full of zigzag moments. Dardai was happy to have almost the same starting XI as in the 2-1 win in Frankfurt a week ago. He only had to call his son Marton Dardai in the starting lineup for Niklas Stark, who suffered a groin injury.

Hütter also had to change his defense with Rami Bensebaini for Matthias Ginter (mild fever). Berlin youngster Luca Netz has won the trust of Hütter – and the fans of his youth club, which he left this summer, whistles with every contact with the ball. Unimpressed, the 18-year-old initiated the Gladbacher’s first chance. Nico Elvedi almost used his one-header cross.

Referee Benjamin Cortus had to correct himself shortly after. His whistle in favor of Borussia after an alleged foul by Maximilian Mittelstädt on Joseph Scally (7th) turned out to be false according to the video images. After that, Cortus could have used images more often for his decisions. With a few unfortunate decisions, the referee contributed to the already hectic pace of a muddled game. Dardai and Hütter continued to shake their heads on the sidelines.

Gladbach was more robust and had a good chance thanks to Breel Embolo (18th) with a strike from a sharp angle. The Hertha hardly took place offensively and offered the big slap moment thanks to the ricochets of goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow and Peter Pekarik (37th). Gladbach got such a corner, but Elvedi passed him.

A goal could only come by chance in this troubled match. The ball ricocheted from Elvedi’s back to Richter, who shot, surprised and grateful. Now, the Berliners were there and increased almost rapidly with the head of Marton Dardai (45th).

Hütter had Alassane Plea and Florian Neuhaus play. More offensive variability was apparently the goal. Plea (48th) almost quickly surprised the Berliners, but his attempt has just been passed. The same table quickly imposed itself as in the first half. Lots of duels, lots of interruptions. It helped Hertha more, who defended the lead with great physical effort, which fighter Dardai liked on the sidelines.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211023-99-710282 / 2