Hertha BSC Celebrates Hard-Fought Victory on Coach's Birthday

The celebrations for Hertha BSC extended well beyond the final whistle of their 5-3 victory against Eintracht Braunschweig. Even after completing an initial lap of honor, the 2,500 traveling fans urged their team back onto the field for further acknowledgment. Players responded by venturing into the stands, with some even gifting their jerseys to the supporters.

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If we play intensely, the boys are simply good. The development has confirmed us and they are currently rewarding themselves.

Coach Stefan Leitl, celebrating his 49th birthday, attributed the team's success to their intense play and a strengthened team spirit. He noted that the squad has effectively absorbed the departures of key players like Fabian Reese, focusing instead on collective effort. "The most important thing is to accept mistakes," Leitl stated, echoing comments from defender Niklas Kolbe about reducing individual egoism.

Despite an early setback when Niklas Kolbe's error led to Eintracht Braunschweig's opening goal in the 10th minute, Hertha did not falter. Even after falling behind 2-0 due to a goal from Kevin Ehlers in the 33rd minute, the team maintained composure. Midfielder Paul Seguin observed, "I didn't feel like we were getting frantic even at a 0-2 deficit." The team managed to equalize before halftime with goals from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson and a spectacular 40-meter strike from Josip Brekalo.

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The most important thing is to accept mistakes.

Hertha dominated the initial 20 minutes of the second half, according to Leitl, scoring through an own goal by Ehlers (53rd minute) and two more from Brekalo (69th minute). Substitute Oluwaseun Adewumi added a fifth goal (87th minute), rendering Jan Urbich's late consolation goal for Braunschweig insignificant. New acquisition Mads Pedersen, who started at left-back, was impressed by the team's unwavering belief, stating, "I never felt like we were nervous or wouldn't come back."

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I didn't feel like we were getting frantic even at a 0-2 deficit. The important thing in such situations is that we stay calm, act as a team, and get through it together.

While Leitl allowed the team to savor the victory, he urged a sense of humility. "We gladly take it, but all very humbly," he remarked. He acknowledged that the journey home would likely be lively, but the focus would soon shift back to the challenges ahead.

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It was palpable that the whole team had the trust and the belief. I never felt like we were nervous or wouldn't come back.