With goals early and late in the match, Hertha scored two to draw 2-2 with RB Leipzig, taking away any of their hopes of challenging for the title. Hertha defended well and restricted Leipzig who struggled to play through them and weren’t able to create any big chances. Berlin scored a penalty and a corner while conceding a big goalkeeping error and a corner but overall Berlin has the better chances and Labaddia’s side put in a strong performance.
Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Matheus Cunha
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 27/05/1999
- Current club: Hertha Berlin
- Career: Coritiba (Y), FC Sion, RB Leipzig, Hertha Berlin
- Position: Right Wing
- Secondary position: Striker, Left Wing
- Preferred foot: Left
Playing on the left wing of the 4-2-3-1 Cunha had a decent game while showing his quality. He didn’t get that many touches on the ball, he was mainly tasked with driving the ball forward on counter attacks. He has a big frame and is a powerful runner, able to drive at the defence and take on players. His control isn’t the cleanest and although he is strong on the ball and able to shield well, he lost possession a lot. He wanted to dribble at every opportunity and some good chances came from it but he also lacked support at times and was in difficult situations. With a good piece of footwork he penetrated the box and had a good chance but was stopped by a brave tackle from Angelino. He was also fouled on four times which hindered his impact on the game.
On the counter he drove into space and played two good switches to Lukebakio on the right wing running into space on the far side. He also picked up a yellow card in the second half for a two footed tackle with terrible technique but luckily made a clean connection with the ball and not the player.
Rating – A2
Jordan Torunarigha
Player Profile:
- Nationality: German
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 07/08/97
- Current club: Hertha Berlin
- Career: Chemnitzer FC (Y), Hertha Berlin
- Position: Centre Half
- Secondary position: Left Back
- Preferred foot: Left
The 6’3″ defender played as the left centre half next to Boyata. He played mostly simple, clean passes to his left back or to Boyata in the buildup and didn’t progress the ball into midfield much and played only a few passes directly up the pitch. He’s comfortable on the ball, able to control and pass with both feet and is calm under pressure. He also completed two decent diagonal long passes to the right back.
He was strong in the air and showed good awareness in the box. He scans often and adjusted his positioning, showing very good concentration. He’s strong and aggressive in the challenge. He didn’t press out the line much but didn’t charge out one on a counter attack which was risky and left the outside runner very open.
Rating – A2
Dodi Lukebakio
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Belgian
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 24/09/97
- Current club: Hertha Berlin
- Career: Anderlecht, Toulouse (L), Charleroi (L), Watford, Fortuna Dusseldorf (L), Hertha Berlin
- Position: Right winger
- Secondary position: Striker
- Preferred foot: Left
Lukebakio had a quiet game where he wasn’t able to take advantage of his ability to make runs in behind and rarely got to drive into space. He was fairly muted throughout the game but make good support runs on the counter, receiving two switches of play with nice control. He created two chances with passes to the edge of the box and produces two okay crosses from the corner of the 18 year box.
He showed good pace but lacked physicality. He worked hard and tracked back well to take his place in the block but lacked power and aggression in the few challenges he was involved with and struggled to match the Leipzig intensity.
Rating – B2
Marko Grujic
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Serbian
- Age: 24
- Date of birth: 13/04/1996
- Current club: Hertha Berlin, on loan from Liverpool
- Career: Red Star Belgrade, Liverpool, Cardiff (L), Hertha Berlin (L)
- Position: Centre Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
The Liverpool loanee scored the opening goal with a good unmarked run on a corner. Grujic comes across as quite a casual player, lacking intensity in his play. He doesn’t fight for his positioning to support teammates and was ball watching at times, but did work hard at times to press, but this still lacked aggression and speed. How is 6’3″ with a slim frame and shows okay strength at times but mostly avoided challenges.
He showed good intelligence and awareness at times with some good passes to get out of pressure. But also while seeming casual he would clear it quickly under pressure and attempted passes to no one.
Rating – D