Hertha 1-1 Freiburg Player Ratings: Freiburg Win Dramatic DFB Pokal Clash on Penalties after 1-1 Draw

Cup football rarely disappoints, and this DFB Pokal clash in Berlin was another reminder of why fans love it so much. The Hertha BSC vs SC Freiburg player ratings tell the story and key takeaways of a tense, emotional battle that swung back and forth before being settled in the cruelest way possible: a penalty shootout.

For long spells, the match felt like a chess game. Both sides were cautious, feeling each other out, and neither wanted to be the one to make the costly mistake. Hertha thought they had struck early through Fabian Reese, only for VAR to rip away the celebrations.

Extra time finally brought the breakthrough SC Freiburg had been pushing for. Yuito Suzuki kept his cool to fire the visitors ahead, just when legs were tiring, and nerves were showing. But the home crowd wasn’t done yet. Out of nowhere, Reese unleashed a stunning long-range strike that sent the Olympiastadion into chaos and dragged Hertha back into the contest.

With nothing separating the sides after 120 minutes, penalties were always going to decide it. Freiburg held their nerve when it mattered most, and Suzuki, fittingly, stepped up to score the winning spot-kick. Sportsdunia brings you the full Hertha BSC vs SC Freiburg player ratings from a night packed with drama, grit, and unforgettable moments.

Key Takeaways

• Freiburg showed superior composure under pressure in the shootout.
• Hertha’s defensive resilience kept them alive for 120 intense minutes.
• Yuito Suzuki delivered in both open play and penalties.

Hertha Player Ratings vs Freiburg

Here are Hertha player ratings from the clash with Freiburg.

Goalkeeper

Tjark Ernst - 8.5: What a performance from the young goalkeeper. He was simply outstanding, making seven crucial saves throughout the 120 minutes. We noticed his confidence growing with each stop, especially the saves inside the box. He kept Hertha in the contest single-handedly at times. To top it off, he even saved a penalty in the shootout.

Defenders

Toni Leistner - 7.0: A really solid and commanding presence at the back for his 99 minutes. He won eight of his ten duels and made six vital clearances. His experience was evident in organizing the backline effectively. The late yellow card was a result of his commitment. A proper defender's performance.

Márton Dárdai - 6.5: A composed display on the ball, completing 85% of his passes. He was crucial in clearing danger, racking up nine clearances. At times, he looked a little stretched by Freiburg's attackers, but he never crumbled under pressure.

Linus Gechter - 5.5: A difficult night for the defender. That one error leading to a goal is a huge black mark against his name in a tight game. While his tackling stats were perfect, the concentration lapse was incredibly costly. We saw his head drop after that moment, and it's hard to look past it.

Midfielders

Julian Eitschberger - 7.0: A tireless display from the midfielder who covered so much ground. He created two key passes and was robust in his defensive duties, winning three tackles. He played for 116 minutes before being forced off, a testament to his work rate.

Michaël Cuisance - 6.0: A frustrating game to watch from him. There were flashes of his technical quality, with four successful dribbles. However, losing possession 18 times is far too much. The decisive moment was his missed penalty, a poorly taken shot that was easily saved. That's what he'll be remembered for in this tie.

Paul Seguin - 7.5: The captain delivered a true leader's performance. He provided a brilliant assist for the crucial equalizer. He was combative in midfield, winning eight duels and recovering the ball ten times. Scored his penalty with conviction, though the yellow card was a slight blemish.

Michal Karbownik - 6.0: He was on the pitch for the entire 120 minutes, but we felt he was largely anonymous. He was neat and tidy in possession with 83% pass accuracy. But he offered very little in an attacking sense.

Forwards

Fabian Reese - 8.0: Hertha's shining light in attack. He was a constant problem for the Freiburg defence. Scored an absolutely sensational goal from distance to drag his team back into the game. He never stopped running and trying to make things happen. Coolly dispatched his penalty as well.

Dawid Kownacki - 6.5: He certainly put himself about, winning an incredible 14 duels. His physicality was a challenge for the opposition defenders. However, his contribution on the ball was lacking, with only 50% pass accuracy. He fought hard but lacked the quality needed before his substitution.

Marten Winkler - 6.0: He had a couple of shots but never really looked like scoring. He struggled to get involved in the game in a meaningful way. It wasn't a surprise to see him substituted after 80 minutes.

Substitutes

Josip Brekalo - N/A: Came on late and scored his penalty.

Luca Schuler - N/A: Introduced late, took his penalty well.

Jeremy Dudziak - N/A: A late substitute with not enough time to make an impact.

Pascal Klemens - N/A: A late change with minimal involvement.

Manager

S. Leitl - 6.5: His team showed immense heart and character, especially to find an equalizer in extra time. The overall game plan seemed a bit negative at home. While penalty shootouts are often a lottery, you have to question if more attacking changes earlier could have won the game in normal time.

SC Freiburg Player Ratings vs Hertha BSC

Check out Freiburg player ratings from the match against Hertha.

Goalkeeper

Florian Müller - 7.5: He wasn't overly busy during the 120 minutes, making only three saves. But when the moment came, he delivered. His penalty save to deny Cuisance was the pivotal moment in the shootout. What stood out to us was his immense composure under pressure.

Defenders

Matthias Ginter - 7.0: A typically classy and composed performance from the veteran. He was excellent on the ball with 89% pass accuracy. He read the game well and made four clearances. Stepped up and confidently scored his penalty in the shootout.

Max Rosenfelder - 7.5: What an impressive display. He seemed to be everywhere, amassing 127 touches and making a staggering 12 clearances. He was a rock at the heart of the defence and won the majority of his duels.

Philipp Treu - 6.5: A solid and reliable performance at the back. He did his defensive duties without any fuss, winning six of his duels. He didn't venture forward much but he ensured his side of the pitch was secure.

Jordy Makengo - 6.5: He put in a good shift for his 78 minutes on the pitch. His passing was exceptional, with 92% accuracy. He made a couple of important interceptions and was defensively sound before being substituted.

Midfielders

Patrick Osterhage - 6.5: A steady and tidy performance in the middle of the park. He kept possession moving for his team effectively. He wasn't spectacular, but he provided a solid platform for the more creative players.

Maximilian Eggestein - 7.0: A captain's display full of industry and fight. He battled tirelessly in the midfield engine room. Never shirked a challenge. Showed immense composure to step up and score his penalty in the shootout.

Yuito Suzuki - 9.0: The undisputed man of the match and the highest-rated player. An absolutely scintillating performance. He scored the crucial opening goal in extra time and was a creative force throughout, making four key passes. To cap it all, he stepped up and scored the winning penalty with ice in his veins.

Niklas Beste - 7.0: A very solid and dependable performance. He was neat on the ball and worked hard defensively, winning both of his tackles. He provided a good balance to the team.

Forwards

Derry Scherhant - 5.0: A really disappointing night for the forward. From our perspective, he was the worst performer on the pitch. He was incredibly wasteful in possession, losing the ball 16 times in just 63 minutes. He offered almost no threat and was rightly substituted.

Igor Matanovic - 7.0: He was a real handful for the Hertha defence. His physical presence caused all sorts of problems. He created two chances and had four shots on goal. While he didn't score, he played a key role in occupying the defenders and creating space for others.

Substitutes

Vincenzo Grifo - 6.5: Came on and added a touch of quality and experience. Converted his penalty with typical calmness.

Christian Günter - 6.0: Brought on to shore things up and provided his experience in a tense game.

Johan Manzambi - 5.5: It's always tough for a substitute in a shootout. He stepped up but saw his penalty saved.

Lucas Höler - 6.5: Brought on for the shootout and showed nerves of steel to score his penalty.

Cyriaque Irié - N/A: A very late substitute with no time to influence the game.

Manager

J. Schuster - 7.5: His team showed great mental fortitude to win on penalties away from home. His substitutions were well-timed, and his players were incredibly clinical in the shootout. He set his team up well to handle the hostile environment and ultimately guided them to a massive cup victory.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Yuito Suzuki.

Worst Performer

Derry Scherhant was the worst performer in the Hertha vs Freiburg game.