It is a painful time for the ‘big city club’ from Berlin, rubbed in by a comprehensive and clear derby defeat
The difference between Germany’s two sharply contrasting capital clubs has always been clear. Now it is even more so, just not in the manner that one ever expected. Beyond bragging rights, the fifth top-flight derby between Union and Hertha underlined that one is a professional, slick outfit that knows where it is going, that one has a plan and an identity – and neither of those, it seems, is the latter club.
Hertha tried to find their poise, led by Kevin-Prince Boateng, who ushered the players to the away end for communion and dialogue with some unhappy travelling supporters, post-defeat at the game’s end. Unfortunately the image that will stick in the mind is that of Davie Selke throwing his jersey into the away section as a peace offering, and having it chucked straight back to him. It was unlikely to have been a particular personal slight to Selke, who had little time as a substitute in the closing minutes to rectify a situation that had already slid from the visitors’ control long before. It is simply a painful time for the “big city club” from Berlin (as the cruel jab from their detractors goes), rubbed in by this comprehensive and clear loss at an Alte Försterei sold to capacity for the first time in 20 months.
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