Hertha BSC vs WSG Wattens

Hertha started with a bang. Marten Winkler's curling effort forced a corner inside the first minute, and from the resulting set-piece Kevin Sessa smashed a first-time volley into the net from close range to make it 1-0 after just 2 minutes (Hertha BSC, via herthabsc.com).

WSG responded swiftly. Niklas Kolbe fouled Ademola Ola-Adebomi in the box, and the WSG forward converted the resulting penalty himself in the 7th minute (WSG Wattens official site). Six minutes later, Husein Balić set up Nikolai Baden Frederiksen, who beat Marius Gersbeck from inside the area to put the Austrian side 2-1 up (13').

Hertha pushed for an equaliser before half-time. Jon Þorsteinsson (on for the injured Winkler from the 12th minute) tested the WSG keeper from the right flank (20'), Sebastian Grønning headed wide from the Icelander's cross (26'), and Julian Eitschberger (41') and Linus Gechter (45') both went close. The score remained 1-2 at the break.

Hertha made five substitutions at half-time and immediately looked sharper. Kevin Sessa struck again in the 54th minute, forcing the ball over the line from close range after a driving run down the left flank — his second goal of the evening drew the scores level at 2-2.

Both managers emptied their benches in the second half — Hertha used all 11 substitutions, WSG made 8 — but it was a Hertha half-time introduction who made the decisive impact. Jelani Ndi, a youth product, received the ball in the box, held off his marker, cut inside and curled a fine finish into the left corner in the 76th minute (3-2).

The match ended shortly after a lengthy stoppage for treatment to a WSG player who landed awkwardly following a headed duel (rbb24).

Kevin Sessa (Hertha BSC) — Two goals (2', 54'), both from close-range finishes. The 26-year-old midfielder was Hertha's most dangerous attacking presence throughout, also hitting the side-netting in the 35th minute. Player of the match.

Jelani Ndi (Hertha BSC) — The youngster, introduced at half-time, scored the winner with a composed finish in the 76th minute. Ndi had missed much of the previous season through an ACL injury, making his match-winning contribution notable (rbb24).

Ademola Ola-Adebomi (WSG Wattens) — Scored the equaliser from the penalty spot (7') and won the foul that led to it. Subbed off in the 59th minute.

The match page shows 5 goals, 0 cards, and 19 substitutions combined — a typical pre-season friendly pattern. Hertha's 11 substitutions to WSG's 8 reflects Stefan Leitl's desire to give minutes to the entire 26-man travelling squad. The rapid sequence of three goals inside the opening 13 minutes (2', 7', 13') points to the early stages of pre-season fitness: both defences were still finding their rhythm. Hertha's improved second-half performance — after the half-time changes — suggests the deeper squad rotation worked in Leitl's favour.

The result is Hertha's second pre-season win of the summer, following the 9-0 rout of Lichtenberg 47 on 8 July 2026. More importantly, it gave Leitl a positive platform for the 10-day training camp in Kitzbühel (17–26 July). Hertha's next friendly is against South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday 21 July. The competitive 2. Bundesliga season begins on 7 August with an away trip to VfL Bochum (rbb24).

For WSG Tirol, the narrow defeat to a 2. Bundesliga side represents a useful workout as they continue their own pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026–27 Austrian Bundesliga campaign.

A textbook pre-season friendly: frantic early goals, wholesale changes, and a late winner from a youngster making his case for first-team minutes. Sessa's double was the headline, but Ndi's composed finish — after a serious knee injury — was the most encouraging sight for Hertha supporters.

Quotes:

"We faced a strong opponent and I like that the boys play with total intensity, creating chances again and again. I'm very satisfied with the game and my team," Hertha head coach Stefan Leitl said after the match (herthabsc.com).