Highlights
S. Jablonski
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90'
+ 5
Full-time: Cologne 0-1 Hertha
Hertha wins an enthralling match thanks to a dream goal from Reese! After a dominant first half and the goal immediately after the restart, Cologne became increasingly offensive, but lacked the final cutting edge. The hosts thus cannot reclaim their spot at the top of the table.
Full-time
90'
+ 3
No taker
Kainz delivers another sharp cross from the right to the far post, Lemperle slides past it.
90'
+ 2
Hertha stand firm
Cologne play the ball around the Berlin danger area, but cannot break through.
90'
Stoppage time
There will be four minutes added on. Cologne continue to push for the equaliser.
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
89'
Birthday boy Bouchalakis comes on
The Greek gets a few minutes on his 32nd birthday.
89'
Substitution
86'
Cologne goalless at home for the first time?
The Billy Goats are the only team in the Bundesliga 2 that have scored in every home match this season - so far...
86'
Time is running out...
...but Cologne are throwing everything forward once again!
85'
Conductor Demme
Distance run (km)
10.1
11
Imad Rondić Diego Demme
84'
Injured
Winkler goes down after a collision with a teammate, Karbownik replaces him for the final minutes.
84'
Substitution
83'
Hosts can strike late
Cologne have scored many important late goals this season, such as the winning goals against Darmstadt, Elversberg, Fürth and Ulm or the equaliser against Hannover.
82'
Next card
Pauli does really well on the right and can only be stopped by Winkler in a manner worthy of a yellow card.
80'
Pressing
The hosts are pushing forward with their vocal fans behind them and are looking for an answer, but the capital city side are standing firm.
Strong between the sticks
© Pau Barrena
79'
Waldschmidt comes up empty
In the last three matches, he was the match-winner twice and once provided the assist for the winning goal - this streak ends as he departs.
77'
Last Options
Struber also brings on Kainz and Downs, what's still possible here?
77'
Substitution
77'
Substitution
76'
Combative
The Cologne players win the ball back over six seconds faster than the Berlin players!
76'
Ball Recovery Time
Ball Recovery Time
Ball Recovery Time gives the time in seconds in which it takes a team to win back the ball following a loss of possession. It also allows conclusions to be drawn about a team's style of play. Only time when the ball is in play is counted (i.e. no breaks in play such as for goal-kicks, throw-ins etc).
75'
Pauli shows up
The new man is played in on the right and immediately wins a corner in a challenge against Zeefuik.
73'
Pauli comeback
It's his first appearance since Matchday 14 at the end of November 2024 in the 2-2 draw against Hannover.
73'
Next substitutions
Fresh legs are coming on for both sides, the final phase promises pure excitement!
73'
Substitution
73'
Substitution
73'
Substitution
Reese's run
© IMAGO/Kirchner-Media/Thomas Haesler
71'
Shot over the bar
Winkler makes a strong move in off the left flank and plays the ball forward to Scherhant, who takes it to the right, but then completely misses from a good position.
67'
Stretched Out
Scherhant with the next attempt, he pushes the ball towards the right side of the goal with the inside of his foot - Schwäbe stretches out his leg and saves it.
67'
Strong Offence
Nine goals in the last three matches - Cologne needed eight matches for their last nine goals.
65'
Double substitution
Can Cologne create more danger with Ljubicic and Finkgräfe?
65'
The chance to equalise!
Jan Thielmann plays a perfect square ball from the right to Lemperle, who immediately shoots from a central position, but blasts the ball over the bar from a very good position...
65'
Substitution
65'
Substitution
63'
On the spot
Schwäbe stretches and saves a good shot from Derry Scherhant - it's a corner.
61'
Pressure
Paqarada is trying a lot. Cologne keep establishing themselves around the Berlin penalty area, but must be careful of counter-attacks.
58'
Dangerous
Demme lays it off to Maza, who shoots from outside the box and narrowly misses to the right.
56'
Waldschmidt has a go
The Cologne striker gets in amongst it. First, a shot from a central position is blocked, then Waldschmidt doesn't strike the ball well, but still forces Ernst into a strong reflex save in the bottom left corner.
54'
Too imprecise
The Billy Goats are now positioned higher up the pitch, but in the final third, the passes are often not accurate enough.
53'
Can Cologne do it!?
Last week in Paderborn, Cologne turned around a deficit, and in the DFB Cup they won 2-1 at home against Hertha after being 1-0 down.
52'
Reese again and again
He has now scored seven of Hertha's last eleven goals!
50'
Challenged
After the shock, Cologne want to respond. They look for Lemperle up front, but the ball doesn't get through.
46'
The opener!
That was quick! The Berliners play brilliantly from the back and send Reese down the right with a long ball. The Hertha player cuts inside away from goal and smashes the ball perfectly into the far corner with his left foot - the ball hits the inside of the post before nestling in the net.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Shot speed
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
46'
We're back underway!
The visitors have just kicked off the second half.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 4
Hertha more of a threat
With nine shots on goal to Cologne's six, and four corners to Cologne's one, Hertha have confirmed the good form of recent weeks and are playing a strong away match. The Berlin side remain without conceding a goal before half-time for the third consecutive match, looking significantly more stable since switching to a 3-5-2 formation.
45'
+ 3
Half-time: Cologne 0-0 Hertha
Lemperle tries for the left corner just before the half-time whistle and narrowly misses. An intense match thus goes into the dressing rooms goalless at the break. Hertha are more in the game and could have already taken the lead. Cologne are battling well though, and repeatedly pose threats on the counter.
Half-time
45'
+ 1
Woodwork!
Reese plays a superb ball on the left to the running Maza, who shoots powerfully at the near post from a tight angle and rattles the woodwork.
Danger man
© IMAGO/Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images
42'
Pulled
Gechter doesn't know how to stop the advancing Rondić and holds onto his shirt - yellow card.
40'
No way through
Jan Thielmann and Lemperle try to play through on the right, but the visitors continue to be strong in the tackle.
37'
Some danger
The home side want to calm the game down a bit and are taking their time with set-pieces. A free-kick from in off the right flank is cleared by the Hertha players.
35'
Next booking
Cuisance stops Huseinbašić roughly and will also have to sit out the next match.
32'
Waldschmidt not a factor yet
He's had decisive goal contributions in the last three matches, but today he's had the fewest touches (nine), he hasn't been involved in any shots on goal and he's still yet to make a successful tackle.
31'
Dangerous Crosses
The Berliners keep delivering good balls into the box, the Cologne players are clearing with difficulty and can hardly break free anymore.
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
28'
Good chance
Lemperle is played through on the left and tries to go it alone. He cuts inside but his shot is blocked. Cologne stay on the attack and lay it off to Martel, who shoots from the edge of the box, but the low shot fizzes just wide of the bottom left corner.
25'
Blocked
Winkler crosses from the left and the ball lands in the space behind, following a headed clearance from a Cologne defender. It drops to Reese, who shoots, but his effort is blocked.
24'
Rondić very industrious again
Duels won
7
4
Imad Rondić Michaël Cuisance
23'
No way through
Rondić tries to play his way through on the right wing, but Zeefuik and Demme stop him together.
20'
Another booking
Lemperle also gets himself a yellow card.
19'
First Yellow
Kenny crashes into Paqarada and receives a booking.
17'
Huge chance!
Reese has plenty of space on the right-hand side and delivers a delicate cross to the far post. Winkler, completely unmarked and just a few metres from goal, tries to volley the ball but misses it completely. That should have been the opener...
16'
Cologne growing into the game
Goal attempts
1off target
1on target
4off target
0on target
14'
Good ball
The hosts are managing to establish themselves in the Berlin half for an extended period. Thielmann delivers a lovely cross from the right to the near post, where Rondić heads towards the far corner, but doesn't get enough power behind the ball. It's an easy catch for Ernst in the end.
12'
Long-ranged shot
Paqarada tries his luck with his good shooting technique from outside the box. The ball dips dangerously but goes just over the crossbar.
9'
Very tight
The Billy Goats are trying to fight their way in, but are having problems against the aggressively pressing capital city side.
6'
Hertha keep pushing
Kenny and Reese attempt more shots on goal, but there's always a Cologne player getting in the way.
5'
Second corner
Cuisance delivers the ball into the penalty area again, but the home side manage to defend.
2'
A heated match awaits
Cologne try to take control of the match immediately, but Hertha press high up the pitch and Reese manages to fire a shot from a tight angle.
1'
Let's go!
It's a great atmosphere in Cologne, but can the hosts make the leap back to the top or will the Berliners crash the party?
Kick-off!
Good atmosphere
© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Wunderl
Outstanding on the road
Hertha have collected an impressive 21 points away from home and has remained unbeaten against teams that were in the top third of the table before this matchday! The Berlin side celebrated victories in Kaiserslautern, Paderborn and Magdeburg, plus draws in Hamburg and Hannover.
As things stand
Cologne could reclaim the top spot in the table with a win and, more importantly, extend their lead over current fourth-placed Paderborn to eight points. For Hertha, it's about improving their cushion over 16th place, which has shrunk to just five points after Braunschweig's surprising victory yesterday.
200 times in the Bundesliga 2
Veteran Toni Leistner is playing his 200th match in the Bundesliga 2 this evening. The twelve years younger Tjark Ernst is also making a landmark appearance; his 50th in the Bundesliga 2.
Downs and Pauli in the squad
Just in time for the final stretch of the season, the Cologne injury list is clearing up. Top scorer Damion Downs (nine goals this season) is back for the first time in a month, while Julian Pauli last played at the end of November. Both take their places on the bench.
More on that Cologne side
While captain Timo Hübers remains sidelined, Dominique Heintz has declared himself fit again. He displaces Max Finkgräfe from the starting eleven, allowing Leart Paqarada to move from the centre back to his natural position on the left flank. Otherwise, Gerhard Struber makes no other changes to his side that put in a strong performance in Paderborn last time out.
Hertha team news
Only change for the Berliners compared to the home win against Karlsruhe comes in the form of Marten Winkler, who starts in place of the suspended Marton Dárdai. For Winkler, it's his first start since early February in the 2-0 defeat at Regensburg and only the seventh time this season he's been in the starting eleven.
Hertha starting XI
Ernst - Gechter, Leistner, Zeefuik - Kenny, Demme, Winkler - Cuisance, Maza - Reese, Scherhant
Cologne starting XI
Schwäbe - Schmied, Martel, Heintz - Thielmann, Olesen, Huseinbašić, Paqarada - Waldschmidt - Rondić, Lemperle
Assistant coach Andre Mijatović on facing Cologne
"Cologne have an incredible amount of quality in their squad and a lot to offer. But we are well prepared and I believe that we can take something away from this match."
Gerhard Struber on facing Hertha
"We will not lose focus, even if people around Cologne are already looking towards the Bundesliga. And we must maintain this focus on Saturday evening, and we will do so."
Looking to end drought
Hertha's last three points against Effzeh was a 2-0 home win in the Bundesliga in November 2022, while their last away victory in Cologne came in September 2019 (4-0).
History favours Cologne
The hosts have won their last three competitive matches against Hertha and have lost only one of their last nine encounters with the Berlin side (six wins, two draws).
Can Cologne win for a third time this season?
The Billy Goats have already beaten the Berliners twice this season. In the reverse league fixture, Tim Lemperle's goal secured a 1-0 victory for Effzeh, and on 4 December, Cologne also won 2-1 at home after extra-time in the DFB Cup. Hertha took the lead through a penalty from Ibrahim Maza, but an own goal by Florian Niederlechner levelled the score. In extra-time stoppage time, Dejan Ljubicic sent Cologne through to the next round from the spot.
Usually a Bundesliga affair
These teams have faced each other 64 times in the Bundesliga, while there have been only three Bundesliga 2 encounters (one win each and one draw).
Hello and welcome!
Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 28 fixture between Cologne and Hertha Berlin.