Hertha Berlin 1-3 Cologne
Goals: 0-1 Modeste 29' (assist: Uth), 0-2 Duda 32', 1-2 Darida 57', 1-3 Thielmann (90'+1)

Cologne went within a whisker of taking an early lead when Ondrej Duda headed Louis Schaub's pass narrowly wide of the upright. Mark Uth flashed an effort off target from 16 yards, before Hertha spurned a glorious opening to forge ahead. Myziane Maolida went one-one-one with Marvin Schwäbe who, preferred over fit-again No.1 Timo Horn, made the block. It proved a key moment in the contest as Modeste headed in from Uth's superb cross with Cologne's next atttack. Duda added a quick-fire second, the former Hertha midfielder smashing in Niklas Stark's attempted clearance from just inside the area. Only Alexander Schwolow's sizeable frame denied Modeste a third.

Hertha had been second best in all areas, but were much improved after the restart. Peter Pekarik signalled the Old Lady's intentions with a fierce effort Schwäbe did well to fend behind, before Vladimir Darida sent over a free-kick that evaded everyone, including the Cologne goalkeeper, to halve the deficit. Schwolow kept the scoreline to 2-1 with a fine reaction save from Stark's overhit back-pass. The resultant indirect free-kick was played to Uth, whose stinging close-range effort was met once more by the Hertha custodian's firm left hand. The introduction of Kevin Prince-Boateng made for a lively finale, but a mistake by Darida spelled the end for Hertha as substitute Jan Thielmann raced clear and finished with aplomb to give Cologne an unassailable lead.

Highlights

Modeste paves way for Cologne in the capital

Hertha Berlin: the 2021/22 season so far

Cologne: the 2021/22 season so far