Highlights
H. Osmers
90'
+ 7
Full-time: Hertha Berlin 0-1 Cologne
The visitors continue their climb up the league after their Cup success against Kiel, securing a deserved win at Hertha. Cologne had slightly more possession, but crucially, they also had the better chances. Hertha started well after the break, yet the visitors regained control of the match around the hour mark. The best chance for Berlin in the entire game came from a misplaced clearance by Martel, which nearly ended up in his own net.
Full-time
90'
+ 5
Downs almost seals it!
That could have been the final nail in the coffin! Waldschmidt plays in the fellow replacement Downs, but he shoots over the bar despite being unmarked. The 20-year-old lacked composure there.
90'
+ 3
Almost over
Huseinbašić runs down the left and is fouled by Klemens. Valuable seconds for Cologne to eat up.
90'
+ 1
Six minutes of added on
Hertha still has time to prevent a home defeat.
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
89'
Substitution
88'
Hertha trying everything
The hosts are putting in tremendous effort, but are currently unable to put Cologne under pressure.
Fierce battle
© DFL/Getty Images/Boris Streubel
84'
Not far away!
Maza dribbles at pace at the Cologne defence and then slips the ball into Thorsteinsson's path. The pass is the right idea, but a touch to strong, allowing Schwäbe to collect.
80'
Substitution
80'
Heintz forced off
The creator of the goal leaves the field. Olesen replaces him and will likely take over Heintz's role. Kainz for Maina is a like-for-like substitution.
80'
Substitution
76'
Schwäbe time-wasting
The Cologne 'keeper looks to run down the clock, and Osmers shows little patience as he brandishes the yellow card.
75'
Poorly executed
After a misplaced pass by Cuisance in his own half, Cologne have space to attack into. In the end, though, Thielmann gets caught up in his attempts to beat Zeefuik.
73'
Substitution
72'
Wild
Pauli is late with a sliding tackle on Zeefuik and receives Cologne's first yellow of the evening.
71'
Cuisance tests Schwäbe
The Hertha player takes a free-kick from about 30 yards out. Although the attempt isn't particularly dangerous, it gives Schwäbe the opportunity to demonstrate dive for the cameras as he make an aesthetically pleasing stop.
68'
Painful collision
Schwäbe comes out for a high cross, misses the ball and hits Hübers in the face with both fists. The Cologne captain initially stays down, but it looks like he will be able to continue.
68'
Substitution
67'
Substitution
67'
Substitution
65'
Cologne moving the ball better
62'
Karbownik carded
The Polish player holds on to Martel with both hands and therefore also goes into the bool
60'
Huge chance for Ljubicic!
The first opportunity for the visitors in the second half is a big one! Lemperle plays a superb pass into the path of the Austrian, who appears completely unmarked in front of Ernst. Nevertheless, he almost completely misses the ball and chance goes begging.
58'
Dárdai booked
The centre-back steps on Maina's foot in midfield. Initially, referee Osmers play an advantage, but during the next stoppage, a yellow card is shown. It's Dárdai's fifth of the season, meaning he will miss next week's match in Darmstadt as a result.
57'
More of the same
This time, Niederlechner gets a shot off from a tight angle, with Thorsteinsson this time provider. The result, however, is the same - side netting!
55'
Thorsteinsson again!
The sub has brought fresh impetus to Hertha's game! To the right of the box, he leaves Heintz in his wake with a clever turn, but then only hits the side netting from a tight angle.
53'
Cologne still warming up
The visitors have not returned from the dressing room at their best. Hertha have had the upper hand since the break.
52'
Substitution
50'
Leistner down
The centre-back is sitting on the pitch holding his right thigh, which is immediately heavily bandaged by the medical staff. It looks like he won't be able to continue.
48'
Double chance for Hertha!
Thorsteinsson wins a corner with his first contribution, which Cuisance uses to aim for Scherhant at the far post. The 21-year-old connects with a volley, but he only hits teammate Dárdai. Subsequently, Thorsteinsson has a shot from distance, and Schwäbe saves with both fists. As such, the Berlin side have already doubled the amount of shots they have in the first half.
Kick-off!
Lemperle breaks the deadlock
© IMAGO/Sebastian Räppold/Matthias Koch
45'
+ 4
Substitution
45'
+ 4
Half-time: Hertha Berlin 0-1 Cologne
In this slow-burner, Cologne deservedly lead at the break. The visitors had seven shots to their opponents' one in the opening period, and also had 55 per cent possession. Shortly before the break, Hertha improved somewhat, and would have been on level terms had Martel's clearance found the back of the net. That close-shave was the final important moment of the half - perhaps this will give the Old Lady confidence ahead of the second half.
Half-time
45'
+ 1
Three minutes of added time
Not long before the half-time whistle.
45'
Nearly the equaliser!
Cuisance pokes the ball past Pauli to Scherhant, who drives into the penalty area and tries to pick out Niederlechner at the far post. Martel slides in to intercept and, in doing so, almost knocks it into his own net. Instead, it goes inches wide of the post.
40'
Cologne maintaining the pressure
The lead has given the visitors more confidence. Now, Maina breaks and play in Huseinbašić, whose effort goes beyond the post.
38'
Heintz impressing
Heintz impressing
Pass Efficiency
34'
Lemperle strikes again
This was the striker's second goal in two games after scoring in midweek. The 22-year-old is slowly becoming a key player for Gerhard Struber's men.
31'
Perfect pass, perfect finish!
Cologne have lift-off! Heintz sees Lemperle making a run down the left, and plays a brilliant ball over the Hertha defence and into the path of the strike, who can't be caught and calmly slots the ball into the top corner from inside the area. A brilliant goal!
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Shot speed
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
29'
Harmless
Sessa delivers into the box, but the visiting backline is able to clear both that cross and the subsequent corner with relative ease.
28'
Good free-kick position
Heintz fouls Niederlechner near the edge of the penalty area.
27'
Good idea
Huseinbašić passes towards Martel, who lets it run through to Thielmann. However, the latter is caught by surprise and hadn't started his run. As a result, the ball goes out for a throw-in.
24'
"Come on Effzeh!"
About 15,000 Cologne fans have travelled to the capital and are making themselves heard. They will hope this will inspire their team to victory.
19'
Dangerous opening!
Lemperle receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area, cuts inside and attempts to curl a shot into the far corner. Ernst is beaten, but so is the far post.
16'
Maza attempt
The Hertha youngster shoots from distance, but it goes well wide of the goal.
14'
Paqarada tries his luck
A first shot of the match, at least, but it's far from dangerous - the xG value was 0.02....
Defences on top
© Maja Hitij
10'
Waiting for the first chance
So far, the action has taken place in the middle of the park.
6'
Cross doesn't find its target
After a long goal-kick from Schwäbe, Thielmann has plenty of space down the right, but Dárdai clears his low cross without any problems.
3'
First set-piece for Hertha
The hosts win the first corner of the match, but Cuisance's delivery doesn't threaten.
Kick-off!
Both teams unchanged from midweek
Hertha, who won 2-1 against Heidenheim, and Cologne (3-0 against Kiel) are unchanged following their Cup exploits.
Heintz comes in
Cologne will play with a back three, just as they did in the cup, so Dominique Heintz starts in the Bundesliga 2 for the first time in two months. He also started against Kiel.
Goalkeeper change for Cologne
Marvin Schwäbe played in the DFB Cup against Kiel and is now making his first appearance in the Bundesliga 2 this season. His last second-tier match dates back to 13 May 2018 (with Dresden, who lost 1-0 against Union Berlin). He was Cologne's first-choice shot-stopper in the Bundesliga last term.
Cologne starting XI
Schwäber - Hübers, Heintz, Pauli - Thielmann, Martel, Huseinbašić, Paqarada - Ljubicic, Maina - Lemperle
Hertha starting XI
Ernst - Kenny, Leistner, M. Dardai, Zeefuik - Sessa, Karbownik - Cuisance, Maza, Scherhant - Niederlechner
The officials
Referee: Harm Osmers, Assistant Referee 1: Dominik Schaal, Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Lupp, Fourth Official: Timon Schulz, VAR: Pascal Müller, VAR Assistant: Dr. Arne Aarnink
Struber's view on Hertha
"Hertha are on the up. They're playing very good football with a lot of quality. But if we all extend our sensors properly and are ready to go to the limit, we can put in another really good performance there. That's our goal."
Fiél's view on Cologne
"Cologne can play football, have a lot of individual quality and gained confidence in the DFB Cup. We're in for a great encounter that we can look forward to."
1:08
Watch: Cologne's top goals this season
Favourite opponent?
There is no other club that Florian Kainz has score more goals against in his professional than Hertha, with four in 10 meetings.
However...
Hertha are unbeaten against the Billy Goats in Bundesliga 2 and won the title in 2012/13 season, their only shared campaign in the second tier (Cologne finished in fifth place).
Record favours Cologne
Hertha have won only one of their last seven competitive matches against Cologne: the last home game on 12 November 2022 in the Bundesliga (2-0).
Rare second-tier encounter
Hertha and Cologne have only previously played together in Bundesliga 2 in 2012/13, with the two meetings in the second tier contrasting with 64 matches in the Bundesliga.
Hello and welcome!
Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 11 fixture between Hertha BSC and 1. FC Köln.