BERLIN: Hertha Berlin grabbed a crucial 2-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart in their relegation battle on Sunday to take a massive step towards Bundesliga survival.

Davie Selke timed his run to perfection to connect with a pinpoint Marvin Plattenhardt cross four minutes into the game to put Hertha in front and Ishak Belfodil slotted in with a fine finish in second-half stoppage time to kill off the game.

The Berliners hung on to their slim advantage for much of the game despite an improved Stuttgart after the break who had chances through Borna Sosa and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

This was their third win in five matches under coach Felix Magath, who celebrated his 500th game as a coach in the Bundesliga, and lifted them to 32 points in 15th place, four points and a place above Stuttgart, in the relegation playoff spot, with three games left in the season.

Greuther Fuerth in last place are already relegated and Arminia Bielefeld are in 17th on 26.

Earlier, Augsburg put more daylight between themselves and the drop zone after a 2-0 win at Bochum.

Andre Hahn capitalised on a mistake in the Bochum defence to put the visitors ahead on 15 minutes and Michael Gregoritsch doubled Augsburg’s lead with a penalty just before half-time.

The result leaves Augsburg nine points clear of the bottom two with three games left, having been 16th in February. Bochum are one point and one place above Augsburg in the table and on the verge of guaranteeing a second season in the Bundesliga after promotion last year.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2022