Germany

Hertha Berlin Enjoying Voronin Powered Season

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Tom Oldfield

Most Liverpool supporters do not have fond memories of Andriy Voronin. The Ukrainian moved to Anfield in 2007 on a Bosman free transfer from Leverkusen, having caught the eye with some enterprising displays at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Pundits were impressed, as was Rafa Benitez, and the fans were expecting big things.

But Voronin never really settled on Merseyside. The pace of Premier League football did not seem to suit him and, when the goals failed to arrive, his confidence began to seep away. He did not help his cause either with a rant about life in Britain.

After managing just five goals in 19 appearances, the Ukrainian’s exit was certainly on the cards. Benitez had Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch as striking options and so Voronin was frozen out. Eventually, he was sent on loan back to the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin.

And this is where the story really begins because Hertha, and Voronin in particular, are flying. Currently sitting top of the Bundesliga table, they are enjoying every minute as they continue to turn the traditional order of things upside down in Germany.

Voronin has found the clinical streak that he never really showed at Anfield and, while Liverpool’s title surge is heading off the rails, Hertha appear to be involved in their race for the long run. The Ukrainian has been a key performer, netting 18 goals in 26 games with 10 of those strikes coming in the league.

Nobody could have predicted how Voronin would fare when he headed back to Germany, where he had already starred for FC Koln and Bayer Leverkusen. However, he has slotted into the Hertha team perfectly and is propelling them towards the title. They hold a four-point lead over the chasing pack led by Bayern Munich, meaning everything is delicately poised. Bayern Hamburg, Hoffenheim, and Wolfsburg are all lying in wait but, with five wins in their last seven league fixtures, Voronin and company are holding their own.

Hertha’s goal difference of just 11 shows that they have had to work for everything thus far in the Bundesliga this season. Their record of 27 conceded is third best in the league and the attack has mustered 38 which is more than useful, though it is some way behind the 49 scored by Hoffenheim. Heading out of the UEFA Cup after the group stage was a blow for Hertha but in hindsight it has proved a blessing for the club’s title hopes. Playing in midweek on a regular basis might have been too much for the squad to handle.

So how far can Hertha really go? They have already put the cat among the pigeons this season but are they capable of lasting the pace and claiming the title?

The signs are good. Two league defeats in their last 12 games is a decent statistic and there have been some very impressive results along the way. There is belief in the camp and the performances, while they have not been mind-blowing, have been very professional.

And Voronin is central to their chances with his clever movement and world class touch. He has been a revelation since Christmas, providing the goals to keep Hertha on track. He netted against Arminia Bielefeld on February 6th to push his side towards a useful point in a 1-1 draw and he was also previously among the goals in a 3-0 victory over Hannover in late October. Just recently he netted a hat-trick in the fine 3-1 win away to Energie Cottbus and is certainly the main man upfront.

But the Ukrainian made his biggest contribution to date at home to Bayern Munich. The German powerhouses, boasting the might of Italian Luca Toni and Frenchman Franck Ribery, were looking to remind Hertha who was boss but it turned out to be a frustrating afternoon as Voronin stole the spotlight.

He scored two excellently-taken goals to leave Bayern stunned. He opened the scoring with a clinical finish but Miroslav Klose’s equaliser kept the visitors in the hunt. However, the Ukrainian had the final say as he swept home another superb effort to ensure that Hertha took all three points.

The pace of the Premier League might not have suited Voronin but he is very much at home in the Bundesliga and he is sending a message to Benitez. Hertha have surprised many with the consistency of their performances thus far and, if they hold on for the title, this latest chapter in Voronin’s story will have a very happy ending indeed.