FC Augsburg missed the hoped-for victory to say goodbye to their home crowd. The Swabians lost against Hertha BSC in a “friendly match”, which was only cheerful in the second half and in which it was no longer about anything, despite three times lead with 3:4 (1:0). The guests are now on the farewell tour for coach Pal Dardai, whom U23 coach Ante Covic is supposed to inherit, for four games without being forced.
Andre Hahn (10th) and the substitute Michael Gregoritsch (50th, penalty kick and 70th) let Augsburg hope for the ninth success of the season with their goals.
But Marvin Plattenhardt (47.), Marko Grujic (66.) and Salomon Kalou (75./90.+3, penalty kick) proved that Dardais Hertha is still alive.
29,307 spectators in the WWK-Arena saw a match at a very manageable level. It was noticeable to both teams that on the home straight of the season it is only a matter of a little TV money for them, which is connected with a somewhat better table position. Hertha played almost disembodied in the beginning.
After a pass from Jan Moravek, Hahn, who had only played center forward for the third time this season, moved unchallenged towards the Hertha goal – Fabian Lustenberger attacked only half-heartedly. Goalkeeper Thomas Kraft saw Hahn’s shot from 24 meters too late and was powerless.
Berlin then needed a good 15 minutes to recover. Then the people from the capital city put their stamp on the game more and more, Augsburg did not come from their own half any more. Lukas Klünter (38th) and Marko Grujic (44th) missed good chances.
Plattenhardt made it better shortly after the break when he sunk a long ball from Ondrej Duda volley. Gregorsh was completely wrong. But the Austrian restored the old distance from the point after an unnecessary foul by Karim Rekik on Georg Teigl.
FCA retreated from the lead and lurked for the decisive counterattack. The Berliners, who were severely decimated in terms of personnel, could not be denied the effort to take anything with them – and Grujic actually hit a corner in the head.
