Hertha Berlin ensured their presence in the German first division next season by winning 2-0 in Hamburg on Monday, in the second leg of the play-offs, after losing 1-0 at home in the first leg.
From the 4th minute, the Berlin players scored thanks to a header from their captain Dedryck Boyata, before Marvin Plattenhardt offered his team the support in the 63rd minute with a superb eccentric free kick, which lobbed the goalkeeper of Hamburg.
This defeat prevents Hamburg, relegated in 2018, from moving up to the first division, and on the other hand ensures the Berliners a presence at the highest level for the 10th consecutive season.
German champion as coach with Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg, Felix Magath, appointed in March to replace Tayfun Korkut, finally managed to ensure the maintenance of Hertha, even if he won only three out of nine matches at the head of the team.
As a player, Magath was also twice European champion (Cup Winners’ Cup and Champion Clubs’ Cup) and three times German champion under the colors of… Hamburg.
“We are very grateful to Felix for what he has done, pushing the right buttons to get the best out of the team,” said club sporting director Fredi Bobic. “It’s a huge relief, what the boys have done is exceptional.”
