display
Berlin (dpa) - Liberation for Sebastian Hoeneß, blatant setback for Bruno Labbadia: In the city of his youth, trainer newcomer Hoeneß has impressively consolidated his position at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim with the first victory of the year.
For his colleague Labbadia, however, the Kraichgauer 3-0 (1-0) against Hertha BSC in Berlin are facing really difficult days.
Sebastian Rudy (33rd minute) and Andrej Kramaric (68th / 88th) scored the goals for the conciliatory first half of the season for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Tuesday evening in the Olympiastadion and ended the discussions about Hoeneß's future as a coach at the TSG.
Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann (11th) parried a penalty from Hertha striker Krzysztof Piatek.
display
With the victory, Hoffenheim jumped to eleventh place for the time being.
At Hertha, however, the situation worsens seriously after the third game in a row without any sense of achievement.
Instead of advancing into the European Cup regions, the Berliners end the first half series just a few points before the relegation zone.
The promised January upswing has fizzled out.
At the start of the second half against Werder Bremen, Labbadia has to deliver points.
"We are challenged today, we absolutely want the second home win this year, that would do us good," said Labbadia shortly before the kick-off on Sky TV.
The hosts showed their unconditional will.
Hertha determined the initial phase, the effort to build an orderly game was clearly visible.
All the more bitter for the Berliners that Piatek failed early with the penalty to Baumann.
The Hoffenheim goalkeeper underlined his reputation as a penalty killer: Since the start of the 2011/12 season, only ex-Leverkusen-based Bernd Leno has saved more penalties (9) than Baumann (8).
Whether bluff or miracle healing - surprisingly Matheus Cunha was in the starting line-up of the Berlin team.
The day before, Labbadia had categorically excluded the Brazilian from playing in the starting line-up because of his groin problems.
The 21-year-old replaced Dodi Lukebakio in attacking midfield, with whom Labbadia was recently dissatisfied.
Lukebakio came on as the 17-year-old Luca Netz in the 60th minute.
Cunha got off to a good start and tried to liven up and inspire the hosts' game, but also suffered one or two weaknesses such as a bad pass to Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramaric, who had no consequences (42nd).
display
“Of course it would be great if we could play at the bottom of the table today and make a front or two,” Labbadia said.
The zero only stood for half an hour.
At the first Hoffenheim chance Niklas Stark cleared well (19th), at the second Hertha goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow didn't look so good.
Maximilian Mittelstädt let himself be duped by Christoph Baumgartner - and Rudy surprised the Berlin goalkeeper with a shot that was hard, but not untenable.
The leadership of the guests was at least as surprising as Matheus Cunha's starting eleven.
That he was not in full possession of his powers was also shown by his low frustration threshold.
The Brazilian acknowledged a decision by referee Harm Osmers shortly before the break with a gesture of punching gloves.
But Hertha had better opportunities not only because of the penalty - especially through Jhon Cordoba (17th / ball missed, 22nd / fall kick, 31st / headball).
«We lacked the killer instinct we needed.
You have to make a goal out of the chances, ”said Hertha sports director Arne Friedrich at the break.
display
After the change it was Cordoba again that had chance number one, but overall the appearance of the Berliners was too unimaginative and uncreative.
As much as Labbadia gestured on the line, he didn't seem to be reaching his team.
Hoeneß, on the other hand, who came to Berlin at the age of 17, was allowed to celebrate two more hits when Kramaric hit the turn seven meters from the goal and increased it to 3-0 with a free kick shortly before the end.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210119-99-92002 / 2
Information about the game on the Bundesliga homepage