In the top match of the 22nd round of the 2nd Bundesliga, Fortuna Düsseldorf turned a one-goal deficit into a 2-1 win over Hertha BSC, with Dzenan Pejcinovic being the standout player, scoring a double to turn the game around.
Hertha started the stronger of the two teams, taking the lead in the 13th minute through Fabian Reese’s precise long-range shot. The Berlin-based team maintained the upper hand but failed to capitalize on their dominance, allowing Düsseldorf to find its footing.
The hosts struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half, with Dawid Kownacki’s header being the best opportunity, which, however, sailed over the crossbar.
After the interval, Düsseldorf introduced fresh legs and a crucial substitution would prove to be a game-changer: Dzenan Pejcinovic, brought on in the 55th minute, single-handedly altered the course of the game.
Initially, he capitalized on a defensive lapse in the Berlin team and equalized in the 55th minute, following a swift combination of passes. Three minutes later, Pejcinovic was at it again, using his composure in the box to chip the ball into the near post, giving Fortuna the lead at 2-1.
Hertha pushed for an equalizer, but Maza’s header from a promising cross was directed straight into the arms of the Fortuna goalkeeper and Pal Dardai’s long-range shot lacked the power to trouble the defense.
As the match neared its conclusion, the home team focused on defending their narrow lead, introducing Nicolas Gavory as a late defensive reinforcement. Hertha, meanwhile, was unable to mount a decisive challenge, allowing Fortuna to see out the win.
The three points move Düsseldorf closer to the promotion spots, now just a single point behind the third-placed team. Hertha, on the other hand, suffered a setback in their fight for survival, with the gap to the relegation playoff spot remaining precarious at five points.