Magath expresses understanding: Hertha professionals boycott fans by jersey

Leader Kevin-Prince Boateng rounded up his teammates from Hertha BSC on the lawn of the Berlin Olympic Stadium immediately after the final whistle and swore them into the end of the season with rousing words.

But instead of going to their recently critical supporters, the pros went into the dressing room after the vital 2-0 (1-0) in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga against VfB Stuttgart.

The players were still too worried about the scenes after the 1: 4 against Union Berlin in the home game before, when they felt the fan anger.

"It wasn't okay against Union"

After the game two weeks ago, angry Hertha supporters asked the players to take off their jerseys and lay them on the ground as they walked into the curve.

Some players endured this humiliation.

"As a team, we decided not to go to the fans for the time being," explained goalkeeper Marcel Lotka on the DAZN streaming service.

"It wasn't okay against Union.

I think the sporting thing is the most important thing now, that we get our points for the fans too, that we are a unit.”

Magath understands

Hertha coach Felix Magath expressed understanding for the fan boycott of his players: "The team didn't go to the fans last week.

They disagreed with the action.

We demonstrated that last week, it's okay as far as the players resisting the measure back then," said Magath on Sunday evening.

Magath hopes that the situation will calm down in the final spurt of the season.

In the next few days it should come to "that both groups approach each other".

You have to “strengthen together against relegation,” emphasized the coach.

"The heart is relieved"

At Magath's 500th anniversary as Bundesliga coach, the Berliners took a big step towards remaining in the league.

Due to the success, they increased as table-15.

their lead over the Swabians, who are one rank lower, to four points.

"The heart is relieved.

The atmosphere was unbelievable today," said goal scorer Davie Selke.

The striker (4th minute) gave Hertha the lead with his first goal under Jubilar Magath in front of 54,589 spectators.

Ishak Belfodil (90th + 3rd) made the third victory under Magath perfect.

The Stuttgarters were served after the defeat and had to face their angry fans.

"We clearly slept through the first half," said VfB professional Waldemar Anton.

"We have to be there from the start.

Then nothing like that will happen.”

This game could not offer football enjoyment due to the precarious situation of both teams.

As in the previous week in the 1-0 win against FC Augsburg, who were also at risk, the Berliners impressed with a team spirit and great commitment that they had long missed.

VfB must improve

With another success next Saturday at Arminia in Bielefeld, who are six points behind, the Bundesliga could possibly be made perfect if VfB Stuttgart were to lose against VfL Wolfsburg at the same time.

The Swabians are only two points ahead of the East Westphalians in relegation rank 16 and have to improve again in the final spurt of the season.

The smoke from the pyrotechnics in the Stuttgart fan block had not yet cleared when Hertha got up to speed.

Marc Oliver Kempf (3rd), who only moved from Stuttgart to Berlin in the winter, had a chance to head the ball.

Selke almost got the ball.

Shortly thereafter, the attacker was correct when Magath's assist expert Marvin Plattenhardt crossed in.

Referee Felix Brych complained about an offside position, but the video images were clear.

The goal counted, and Selke and the Hertha fans were free to celebrate after the VAR confirmation.

Berlin defends well

There was no sign of the great dissonance between the Berlin team and critical supporters during the game.

Hertha fulfilled the fans' will.

The fight was right.

Stuttgart came up with very little.

Hertha goalkeeper Marcel Lotka didn't have to thwart any serious VfB chances.

The Berliners were secure, but were unable to set any decisive accents offensively.

In his 500th game as Bundesliga coach, Magath was able to take a seat on the bench in his linen suit in the second half.

His assistant Mark Fotheringham took over the coaching - with a lot of enthusiasm.

Like his boss, the Scot then saw a much braver VfB team.

The Berliners survived difficult phases and from then on successfully resisted the equalizer.

Substitute Belfodil made everything clear in added time.