Test game - Hertha with draw in Cottbus - Reese injured out
Hertha BSC began their preparation for the upcoming season in the 2. Football Bundesliga with their first loss in a test match against Energie Cottbus, who were recently promoted to the third league. In the last match before the training camp, the team of new coach Cristian Fiel could not get past a 2:2 (2:0) at LEAG Energie-Stadion. The fifth test match was attended by 5,774 spectators.
From the start, Hertha showed dominance and enthusiasm on the field. Haris Tabakovic scored the 1:0 lead in the 20th minute. Eight minutes later, new signing Michael Cuisance scored the second goal, his first for the Berliners. Reese had already been replaced by Gustav Christensen at this point.
Hertha gives away the initiative
As in the 6:1 win against FSV Zwickau on the previous Saturday, Hertha conceded a goal shortly after the half-time break from the first counter-attack against the opposition. Substitute Phil Halbauer finished the move in the 48th minute.
In the last half hour, Fiel sent ten new players onto the field and changed the tactical alignment. Hertha no longer played dominantly and were fortunate that the post saved them from an equalizer in the 76th minute. This came in stoppage time through Timmy Thiele.
Hertha travels to the training camp at Walchsee in Tyrol from the 18th to the 27th of July. The new season starts on the 3rd of August with a home game against SC Paderborn (1:00 PM/Sky).
- In preparation for the upcoming second Bundesliga season, Hertha BSC scheduled test games against various teams, including a match against recently promoted Energie Cottbus, who are currently playing in the third league.
- During their test game against Energie Cottbus, Hertha BSC, coached by Christian Fiel, started off strongly, with Haris Tabakovic scoring the first goal in the 20th minute and Michael Cuisance adding another one eight minutes later.
- Despite their initial dominance, Hertha BSC struggled to maintain their lead in the second half, allowing Energie Cottbus to score a goal from a counter-attack just after half-time, with substitute Phil Halbauer finishing the move.
- In an effort to turn the tide, Coach Fiel made several substitutions and tactical adjustments, resulting in a change in Hertha's playstyle in the last half hour of the game.
- One of the new players introduced in the second half was Fabian Reese, who was replaced by Gustav Christensen before the halftime goal was scored.
- Following their test game against Energie Cottbus, Hertha BSC will travel to Walchsee in Tyrol for their preseason training camp, which runs from the 18th to the 27th of July. Their first official match of the new second Bundesliga season will be a home game against SC Paderborn on the 3rd of August (1:00 PM/Sky).
