SC Paderborn’s promotion hopes were dealt a setback after a 1:2 home loss to Hertha BSC. Despite a strong start, Paderborn struggled to capitalize on chances, with Hertha’s defense proving formidable. After conceding two goals, Paderborn managed to score in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough. Frustration grew over missed opportunities and a controversial no-call in the final moments. Paderborn will next face Darmstadt, while Hertha prepares for a match against Hamburg.
SC Paderborn’s Struggles Continue in Promotion Quest
After enduring three games without a victory, SC Paderborn faced another blow in their pursuit of promotion in the 2nd Bundesliga. On Sunday, May 19, 2025, the team, under the guidance of coach Lukas Kwasniok, succumbed to a 1:2 defeat against Hertha BSC at their home ground.
As a result of this loss, the East Westphalian squad remains situated in the upper mid-table of the 2nd Bundesliga standings. Hertha’s win, largely attributed to their remarkable efficiency in converting chances, narrowed the gap between them and Paderborn to just three points.
Hertha’s Defensive Brilliance on Display
Following the match, Hertha’s coach, Christian Fiel, emphasized the significance of his team’s well-structured defense. “We put everything on the line. It’s essential to have that drive if you want to achieve success,” he stated, highlighting their disciplined performance.
Paderborn’s center-back, Tjark Scheller, echoed Fiel’s sentiments in a post-match interview, acknowledging the pressure they faced. “In the second half, we created multiple opportunities around the penalty area, but many of our shots were blocked. We must commend Hertha’s defense for their commitment,” he remarked.
Paderborn started the match with an intense and aggressive approach, nearly taking an early lead, only to have it disallowed by referee Florian Heft due to a marginal offside call. However, it took around ten minutes for Hertha to find their footing, and they eventually struck first. Derry Scherhant made a remarkable run from midfield, expertly curling the ball into the far top corner to put Hertha ahead 1:0 in the 16th minute.
After conceding the goal, Kwasniok’s team appeared disoriented and less confident. The match continued without any notable chances, as Hertha focused on maintaining their solid defense, often thwarting any Paderborn advances.
As the second half commenced, Paderborn momentarily shed their caution. Aaron Zehnter had a prime opportunity to equalize with a direct shot from a tight angle, but Hertha goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck made a spectacular save. Unfortunately for Paderborn, this burst of energy was short-lived.
Hertha effectively managed the game tempo, which frustrated the Paderborn players as they struggled to break through. In a rare attacking move, a foul by Paderborn’s Laurin Curda on Scherhant led to a penalty, which Mickael Cuisance converted confidently to extend Hertha’s lead to 2:0 in the 69th minute.
In the closing minutes, Paderborn ramped up their efforts, creating several promising chances. Sven Michel hit the post in the 85th minute, and in stoppage time, he found the net with a shot into the lower left corner, bringing the score to 1:2.
The final moments were filled with tension as Michel sought a penalty after a header duel with Deyovaisio Zeefuik. However, the referee did not award the call, much to the dismay of Kwasniok, who expressed his frustration with both the team’s finishing and the officiating. He remarked that if the final incident wasn’t deemed a foul, it was something to be met with sarcasm.
Looking ahead, Paderborn will face Darmstadt in their next match on January 26, 2025, at 1:30 PM, while Hertha will host Hamburg in a highly anticipated clash the evening before at 8:30 PM.