Early lead
Having conceded early on several times already this season, this time it was VfB’s turn to open the scoring shortly after kick-off. Tiago Tomás’ ball forward found Serhou Guirassy, who kept his cool to finish the first chance of the game. The home side were clearly up for the match, dominating physically, and they could have gone 2-0 up in the 16th minute only for Silas to miss the target. Instead, the visitors hauled themselves level through Dodi Lukebakio, who applied the finish to a pinpoint cross from the right (19’). It was an evenly balanced game thereafter, even if VfB improved shortly before the interval and created a number of presentable chances.
Late winner
The encounter remained on a knife edge in the second half as both teams struggled to carve out any menacing opportunities in front of the opposition goal. Wataru Endo clashed heads with Ivan Sunjic in the 77th minute and the VfB captain subsequently needed a lengthy period of treatment before being stretchered off in a daze. The incident left both teams somewhat deflated initially, but VfB recovered to snatch three vital points with the last kick of the game when Konstantinos Mavropanos headed in Borna Sosa’s corner in the 98th minute of the last home match of the year.
Goals:
3rd minute (1-0): Tomás’ superb pass dissects the defence and finds Guirassy, who maintains his composure to thump in the opener.
19th minute (1-1): Lukebakio volleys in Jonjoe Kenny’s cross to equalise.
90th + 8 minute (2-1): Mavropanos heads in Sosa’s corner, sparking wild celebrations!
Reaction
VfB coach Michael Wimmer: “We started the match better this time and took the lead following a nicely worked attack. Then we had a chance to make it 2-0, but instead conceded the equaliser. It was an evenly balanced game in the second half and it’s not an undeserved win, but it is a lucky one. Still, I’m happy that we got our reward and that the boys showed courage and belief until the end.”
Waldemar Anton: “We played well for much of the match and created a lot of chances. At the end we wanted to win it more than Hertha did, and we got forward with a lot of power. We deserved to land the knockout blow at the end to win it.”
