Lokomotive Leipzig vs Hertha BSC

Hertha dominated the opening half-hour without finding the net. Grønning and Jelani Ndi spurned a double chance inside three minutes, Kevin Sessa forced a sharp save from Lok keeper Andreas Naumann on 17 minutes, and a corner sequence on 21 minutes saw Paul Seguin, Grønning and Gouram all fail to convert from close range. Gouram then whistled a shot just wide from distance.

The breakthrough arrived on 31 minutes when Grønning nodded home a cross from the right by Jonatan Berner. Lok's response was instant and clinical: Adetula cut in from the left and lashed his shot into the far corner for the equaliser — their first real attempt on target (35').

Hertha's reply took just two minutes. Gouram collected the ball 20 metres out and curled a beauty off the inside of the post into the top corner to restore the lead (37'). Ndi and Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson both went close before the interval.

Stefan Leitl changed all ten outfield players at half-time, and the fresh XI doubled the lead eight minutes after the restart. Right-back Julian Eitschberger delivered a cross from the right and Marten Winkler guided it into the far corner (53'). Kian Todorović and Josip Brekalo tested Naumann again, while at the other end Marius Gersbeck made a strong one-on-one save against Alexander Siebeck (63'). Márton Dárdai, returning from a long injury lay-off, came on for the final ten minutes.

Adetula's equaliser could have shifted momentum towards Lok, especially with the crowd behind them. Gouram's response — a first-time curler from 20 metres off the inside of the post — restored Hertha's lead within two minutes and killed any sense that the hosts might seize control. Lok never recovered the initiative.

Soufian Gouram (Hertha BSC) — His goal was the match's outstanding moment: a clean strike from range that gave Naumann no chance. Also involved in the build-up before the opener.

Sebastian Grønning (Hertha BSC) — Scored his fourth goal of pre-season (following his hat-trick against Lichtenberg 47 three days earlier). The Danish striker leads Hertha's early summer scoring charts.

Marten Winkler (Hertha BSC) — Came on at half-time and scored within eight minutes. His clever movement and composed finish from Eitschberger's cross sealed the win.

Ayodele Adetula (Lokomotive Leipzig) — Took his one real chance superbly, cutting inside from the left and finishing into the far corner. A bright moment for the hosts.

Player of the match: Soufian Gouram — for the quality of his finish and the timing of the response.

Hertha's 3-1 scoreline and 23-minute, three-goal spell reflect a familiar pre-season pattern: the higher-tier side controlling possession and territory, creating chances in volume, and leaving it late to convert. Lok's only shot on target in the first half was Adetula's goal — a reminder that the Regionalliga champions can punish slack defending, but that Hertha's defensive structure was otherwise sound. The second-half changes produced a wider tactical spread: Leitl's entirely new XI maintained the tempo and added a third goal within eight minutes, suggesting squad depth is progressing well.

Hertha's third pre-season win extends their perfect start under Stefan Leitl. The 9-0 demolition of Lichtenberg 47 on 8 July and this controlled 3-1 away performance suggest the attacking patterns are sharpening ahead of the 2. Bundesliga campaign. The return of first-choice goalkeeper Tjark Ernst (first appearance of pre-season) and Márton Dárdai (first minutes after long-term injury) are positive signs for the squad.

For Lokomotive Leipzig, this was new coach Torsten Ziegner's first match in charge. The Regionalliga Nordost champions showed glimpses of quality — Adetula's finish was slick — but the gulf in class to a 2. Bundesliga side was apparent. Ziegner will have clearer takeaways from the 90 minutes than the scoreline suggests.

Hertha's next fixture is a friendly against WSG Tirol on 17 July at their training camp in Kitzbühel, Austria. Lokomotive Leipzig continue their pre-season schedule under Ziegner with further friendlies ahead of the Regionalliga Nordost season.

A deserved win for Hertha, built on first-half dominance and finished with second-half freshness. Gouram's goal was the difference between a comfortable win and a nervy one. For Lok, the first outing under Ziegner offered moments of promise but underlined the step up in quality they face — even in a friendly. Hertha's pre-season form reads 3-0-0 with 13 goals scored; the patterns are building nicely.