Season Review 2015/16: Hertha Berlin
Hertha Berlin threatened a top-four finish for long stretches, but ran out of steam towards the end of 2015/16. bundesliga.com looks back on a season of two halves for the Old Lady.
Season in a nutshell
Hertha’s season started so well, and they maintained their momentum through to the winter break, winning ten and drawing two of their first 17 league fixtures. Coach Pal Dardai's men surprised many with their third place come Christmas, and did so again as their form melted away, producing the third-worst Rückrunde in the Bundesliga.
Top three games
MD16: SV Darmstadt 0-4 Hertha Berlin
The 4-0 defeat of Darmstadt was not only Hertha’s biggest win of the season, it also propelled them into third place.
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MD20: Hertha Berlin 0-0 Borussia Dortmund
Hertha made it six games without defeat by holding free-scoring Borussia Dortmund in check, and even had the better chances.
MD26: Hertha Berlin 2-0 FC Schalke 04
Up against fellow top-four contenders Schalke, Hertha secured a 2-0 win that kept them – and their fans – dreaming of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
MVP
Rune Jarstein had been unable to dislodge Thomas Kraft as Hertha’s number one since his arrival in early 2014, and went into the 2015/16 season behind the former FC Bayern München man. A injury to Kraft on Matchday 5 gave Jarstein his chance, and he seized it with both gloved hands. Equally at ease on his line or coming out to claim high balls, the 31-year-old’s ability to use his feet to good effect also helped Dardai’s men keep possession.