Hertha's fine form under Pal Dardai continued on Saturday, as they picked up another home win against VfB Stuttgart.
Despite the 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund before the international break, Hertha could be proud with their early season exploits. Four points from three games represented steady progress under Pal Dardai and he went for a more attacking line-up against Stuttgart. Micthell Weiser, Salomon Kalou and Roy Beerens all claimed a starting berth ahead of Peter Pekarik, John Anthony Brooks and Johannes van den Bergh.
Stuttgart, on the other hand, were languishing at the bottom of the table without a single point coming into matchday four. The early season optimism surrounding Alex Zorniger's appointment had faded, and now results were becoming a must. However, he would have to go about that without Przemyslaw Tyton, who was sent off against Eintracht Frankfurt. Florian Klein and Toni Sunjic also started, as Daniel Schwaab and Timo Baumgartl dropped out.
Attacking switch comes off
Sunjic's debut almost turned sour early on, after his attempted headed clearance nearly found his own net. It was a solid start for Hertha with their attacking approach paying dividends. Young Weiser was looking particularly impressive and was the creator of the first goal.
After taking the throw-in, he played a quick one-two around the defender before driving into the box. He fired a ball into Genki Haraguchi's feet, who turned and shot low at goal. Odisseas Vlachodimos couldn't react quickly enough and the ball shot past him, much to the delight of the home support.
Stuttgart respond and Sunjic levels
Stuttgart's response came almost exclusively from Daniel Ginczek, who was particularly lively. A spectacular overhead kick went well over the bar but his header moments later had Thomas Kraft hoping that it would fly past the post; thankfully for the Hertha stopper, it went a whisker wide.
The Swabians were coming forward with more regularity and the pressure eventually told, as Sunjic headed home on his debut. The commanding centre-half rose completely unmarked at the near post to meet Daniel Didavi's delivery, powering it past the helpless Kraft to bring his side level.
Hertha go in front after stunning goal
Just as the game was heading for half-time and parity at the break, Fabian Lustenberger stepped up to the mark and score a once-in-a-lifetime strike. The ball rebounded about to him following a free-kick and the Swiss centre-half volleyed into the top corner without breaking a sweat, shocking everyone including himself.
Hertha started the second half much stronger and Vedad Ibisevic, who had just came on, went close to scoring against his old club, only for Vlachodimos to deny him at the near post. Both teams seemed to have tightened up in the second period, although the hosts still looked much more dangerous.
The defensive nature had really taken the sting out of the game but Alexandru Maxim's introduction was a welcome one. The tricky Romanian went inches away from earning an equaliser for Stuttgart but his rasping drive found the side netting, as the home side breathed a sigh of relief. Hertha held on in the end for an invaluable three points, though the Swabians woes continue to grow.