Hertha 3-0 Hoffenheim
Goals: 1-0 Stark 39' (assist: Plattenhardt), 2-0 Belfodil 63' (assist; Kempf), 3-0 Tousart 74' (assist: Boyata)

With a second managerial change of the season, albeit with Felix Magath in isolation and unable to sit in the dugout, Hertha were looking for a knee-jerk reaction, and they almost got it right away. Marco Richter intercepted a wayward pass, but slashed his shot wide of the far post early on as the Old Lady began with a bellow. Belfodil flicked a header wide before curling another effort over as the hosts, with a notable spring in their step, sought a confidence-boosting opener. Jacob Bruun Larsen almost scuppered their hopes when he took down a lofted pass but volleyed over with just Alexander Schwolow to beat. Richter was next to take aim for Hertha before Stark finally broke the deadlock five minutes before the break, meeting Marvin Plattenhardt's free-kick with a close-range header which was confirmed after an agonising – for the home fans – VAR check into a raised offside flag.

Another VAR check was needed before Belfodil could celebrate doubling Hertha's lead on the hour mark, after he pounced on Marc-Oliver Kempf's nod down from another dangerous Plattenhardt set piece. An almost carbon copy Plattenhardt free-kick headed down into the danger area by Dedryck Boyata set up Tousart to make it three and put the points in the safe. Hoffenheim simply had no reply, failing to give Schwolow any work to do in the second half as the Hertha fans found their voice and celebrated a win which lifted the Old Lady out of the bottom two, with Magath celebrating a first win in charge - Hertha's first of 2022 - albeit in absentia.

BSC Hertha Hertha Berlin - TSG Hoffenheim Hoffenheim

Hertha win on Magath's debut

Can Felix Magath save Hertha from relegation?