Uefa is investigating suspicious payments to Infantinos' former employee.
Hertha Berlin Wins 1-0 - Great Start! It's All About Groning
Na, so it goes for Hertha! On the Transfermarkt last in, top of the table this Saturday. The main city club wins their season-opening match with a 1-0 victory in Bochum, the first start since 2020. Not bad for a team that started without any new signings in the starting lineup.
Coach Stefan Leitl drops deep before the kick-off, says: „It’s important to stay in this league.“ Prudent with his season goal, bold with his personnel selection. Leitl finally puts Soufian Gouram into the starting lineup - credit for a strong preparation. The 20-year-old pays back immediately: Perfect cross from Gouram out of the center left on Groning, who lifts over Keeper Horn into the net - 1-0 for Hertha (39.). That’s all about Groning.
Finally, a great start! The new playing system with high pressing works often well. However, VfL also is a grateful opponent. Offensive actions are lacking. And when a ball comes to the goal, it's „cat“ Gersbeck there. The strong transition number 1 snatches a header from Hoffmann (30.).
Uncomfortable: In the 19th minute, fans once again find themselves in the center of attention. Because of an extended banner blocking the Hertha-block escape routes, the game is interrupted for five minutes. Unnecessary action.
In the second half, VfL presses stronger, Hertha defends strongly. Does that create a great team spirit? In the 85th minute, Hertha’s only new signing Oluwaseun Adewumi comes on. He helps to save the top start for the Berliners until the end of the game. Gersbeck: „We’ve worked hard for this. We defended until the last moment, that's what matters.“
Leitl: „That was our clear plan to play like this. We were unbelievably aggressive in the first half and had everything under control in the first half. In the second half we lacked a bit of space.“
