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Berlin (dpa) - Pal Dardai got the first non-relegation bonus right after the rescue on the lawn.
The injured Matheus Cunha handed over thick cigars in a silver suitcase to his infinitely relieved trainer.
The happily jumping Brazilian gave the rhythm for the party to keep Hertha BSC in class.
Coach Dardai, who saved Berliners from relegation for the second time after 2015, looked full of anticipation.
He wants to enjoy a glass of red wine with it later.
"I am proud.
The boys have changed, they have shown that they are a team.
You can love them again, ”said Dardai after the 0-0 draw against 1. FC Köln.
The eighth game in a row without defeat brought the Berliners to stay after a season full of hardship and suffering.
After an unusually relaxed week, the Berliners are now traveling to the last game of the season at TSG Hoffenheim without worries and can focus on their much higher goals in the future.
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In the jubilation in Berlin, 1. FC Köln still had a glimmer of hope.
The Rhinelander have to be as table-17.
But definitely win on the last match day against bottom side Schalke 04 and hope for a slip of the competition from Arminia Bielefeld or Werder Bremen to prevent the seventh relegation from the Bundesliga.
“You can see the tension on the pitch, now we have a final.
We win at home, then we stay in, ”said sports director Horst Heldt.
Cologne already had to score in Berlin.
Even without captain Jonas Hector, who was injured in the leg.
One noticed that.
Against a very careful Hertha, FC took the initiative.
Elvis Rexhbecaj (15th) had the first opportunity - his shot missed.
A few seconds later, the opportunity was even better for him from closer range.
But the Hertha goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, who was in good shape again, parried.
The goalkeeper also grabbed Florian Kainz's header (44th) in his 150th Bundesliga game.
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The Berliners needed time to find themselves in the already radically changed formation.
Ten potential regular employees were missing due to injury, illness or suspension.
Even ex-world champion Sami Khedira did not make it into the team after his calf injury.
Jessic Ngankam, the winning goal scorer in the 2-1 win at Schalke, was the last remaining striker, despite knee problems in his starting eleven debut.
Out of necessity, Dardai had five potential central defenders in the starting line-up, including his son Marton Dardai as six and Jordan Torunarigha as full-back.
Almost logical that the game forward was poor at first.
Nemanja Radonjic (30th) failed after a solo from an acute angle against FC goalkeeper Timo Horn, Ngankam's attempt (39th) was still blocked.
More was not possible.
Funkel did not drive his team forward unconditionally.
Still, the chances were there.
Especially for Ellyes Skhiri (54th), who did not hit the ball properly from close range.
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The opening goal for Augsburg against Bremen changed the statics of the game in Berlin.
Hertha was - as it stands now - saved.
Accordingly, the Dardai team was even more concerned with securing results.
Cologne intensified the urge to move forward.
Isamail Jakobs (74th) and Marius Wolf (79th) aimed past.
When Skhiri (89th) fell in the penalty area, referee Deniz Aytekin checked the scene - no penalty.
With the final whistle there was only blue and white cheers.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210515-99-610553 / 4
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