Jovetic double earns Hertha draw on Korkut debut
Berlin, Dec 5, 2021 (AFP) - New Hertha Berlin coach Tayfun Korkut began his reign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against former club and fellow Bundesliga strugglers Stuttgart on Sunday.
Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic struck either side of half-time as Hertha fought back from two goals down to snatch a point in their first game under their new boss.
Stuttgart-born Korkut took the reins at Hertha after Pal Dardai's dismissal, his first Bundesliga job since a 10-month stint at Stuttgart in 2018.
After a disastrous start to his first game in charge, his side rallied to pick up their third draw of the season and stay a place above Stuttgart in the table, two points clear of the bottom three.
"Credit to my team for the way they fought back. We really deserved the point today," Korkut told DAZN.
Stuttgart took the lead after 15 minutes, Omar Marmoush hitting Hertha on the break and slotting a cool finish into the bottom corner.
Philipp Foerster drilled in a long-range effort a few minutes later to double the lead for the hosts.
Hertha's Ishak Belfodil had a goal ruled out for offside, before Jovetic pulled a goal back for the visitors with an elegant strike on 40 minutes.
Korkut's side came out with new verve after the break and fully deserved their equaliser, a tap-in from Jovetic 15 minutes from time.
"The coach told us at half-time that we needed to play and believe in ourselves," Jovetic told DAZN.
"He hasn't had much time with us yet so he still needs time," he added.