A 70th minute goal by Gojko Kacar was enough to see Hertha reach the last 32 of the newly-formed Europa League against Group D leaders Sporting Lisbon, in sub-zero temperatures in Berlin on Wednesday night. Hertha finished second in their group, despite the Dutch side Heerenveen's 5-0 home win over Ventspils.
Home coach Friedhelm Funkel made three changes to the side which battled hard for a point against high-flying Leverkusen in round 16 of the Bundesliga last weekend (2-2). Kaka reverted to the bench. Up front, Raffael was suspended after being sent off during Hertha's last Europa League clash away at Ventspils which the capital city side won 1-0.
Janker returned to the back four, while up front Wichniarek played alongside Ramos. Midfielder Patrick Ebert missed out because of a stomach bug. There was some great news for the home side though, as Florian Klinge sat on the bench, for the first time since picking up a serious injury he sustained while making his Hertha debut in Mainz in September.
Lisbon had already qualified for the next stages, so their coach TrainerCarlos Carvalhal understandably played a "B" side in Berlin. Despite that fact, Hertha struggled against the visitors. Sporting controlled the opening exchanges, passed well but were weak in front of goal. Their captain Joao Moutinho missed from distance (13.), while five minutes later Russian Russe Izmaylov lost the plot while well placed inside the Hertha area.
It took the home side 25 minutes to bring to life the paltry crowd of under 15,000 to life. Piszczek crossed well from the right to Wichniarek, who could have headed, but chose to play the ball square and a rare chance went begging. Shortly afterwards Hertha's best player Kacar let fly from outside the area, but the effort was easily dealt with by Lisbon's keeper Rui Patricio (27.).
The visitors took control again after Hertha's five minute pressure period, without it must be said threatening the goal being guarded by Jaroslav Drobny. Izmaylov should have scored with at least one of his two close range chances but missed the target on both occasions (39., 44.). The game was goalless at halftime.
Hertha emerged unchanged from the warmth of the dressing room. Both sides struggled to make an early impact. Hertha in particular concentrated on defensive matters and Lisbon didn't seem to mind. Both sides looked to have settled for a 0-0 result.
The ever-busy Ramos fired narrowly wide from distance. Then Hertha took the lead out of the blue on 70 minutes as Nicu broke down the right before crossing into the area where Kacar was waiting to somehow bundle the ball into the net from close range with his thigh! Nothing much happened after the opening goal and the home side played out the remaining minutes of the game to make sure that they spend the winter break still in Europe.
Match details:
Hertha BSC: Drobny-Piszczek, Janker, von Bergen, Pejcinovic, Lustenberger, Kacar, Nicu, Cicero, Ramos, Wichniarek
Sporting Lisbon : Rui Patricio-Pedro Silva, Tonel, Saleiro, Grimi, Joao Moutinho, Daniel Carrico, Izmaylov,Fernandez, Pereirinha, Adrien Silva
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