2. Bundesliga: Hertha still in the mix after five-star display in Düsseldorf
| Christof Koepsel/Getty Images |
Fabian Reese helped Hertha BSC to a stunning five-star victory away at Fortuna Düsseldorf. The skipper scored twice before providing a perfect assist for Düsseldorf’s ex-striker Dawid Kownacki in a stunning first-half performance.
It was a tough start for Hertha as the hosts opened the scoring inside five minutes with Linus Gechter beating his own goalkeeper from a well-worked move by Markus Anfang’s side. Five minutes later, Marton Dardai had to be substituted off due to injury.
However, they were leading 4-1 at the break with Kownacki turned provider for Marten Winkler’s injury-time strike. Cedric Itten, who forced the own-goal in the first-half with his movement, pulled one back for Düsseldorf ten minutes after the break.
The sixth-placed side wrapped up the win in style as Josip Brekalo put it on the plate for Luca Schuler to score the fifth in the 94th minute. Hertha remained in the race with seven points difference between them and the playoff place with seven games to go. Düsseldorf are only three points ahead of the other playoff spot as relegation concerns loom again at Merkur Spiel-Arena.
