Hertha BSC closed in on a UEFA Champions League place with a comfortable 2-0 home win over disappointing Bundesliga rivals Schalke 04 on Friday.
Vedad Ibisevic and Niklas Stark scored in each half as third-placed Hertha, who made their only Champions League appearance in the 1999-2000 season, opened up a four-point gap over Schalke, who are fourth.
After a slow start, the visitors had the first real chance when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s header was superbly saved by Rune Jarstein, but Hertha went ahead three minutes before halftime when Ibisevic finished off a sweeping move.
Photo: EPA
Dennis Aogo had an excellent chance to equalize when he was sent clean through 10 minutes after the break, but he dragged his shot wide.
The hosts took advantage when Stark headed in from a corner in the 65th minute, the 19-year-old defender’s first Bundesliga goal.
Tolga Cigerci and Ibisevic then missed clear-cut chances to extend Hertha’s lead as Schalke left gaps at the back.
Third place earns a berth in the Champions League group stage and fourth wins a slot in the playoff round.
Hertha are five points ahead of fifth-placed FSV Mainz 05, who visit Borussia Dortmund today.
LA LIGA
AP, MALAGA, Spain
Malaga midfielder Juan Pablo Amor scored from outside the area to secure a 1-0 win over Real Sporting de Gijon in La Liga on Friday.
After receiving the ball on the edge of a packed area, Amor cut back to his left foot to open an angle and unleashed a curling strike into the corner for the 25th-minute winner.
Gijon substitute Carlos Castro hit the post in the visitors’ best opportunity with 15 minutes remaining.
Malaga’s first victory in six rounds provisionally lifted them to eighth place.
“We knew that this game was vital, because we needed the three points to get back on a winning path,” Amor said.
“It was not our best game, but we got the win,” he added.
Gijon defender Alberto Lora said.’s winless streak reached eight games as they stayed in the relegation zone.
“Our options are running out, but this team is convinced that we can turn this around and avoid the drop,” Gijon defender Alberto Lora said.
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