There were worrying signs for Matteo Guendouzi in his weekend appearance for Hertha BSC, a poor defeat to RB Leipzig.

BERLIN, GERMANY: Tyler Adams of RB Leipzig battles for possession with Matteo Guendouzi of Hertha BSC during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and RB Leipzig at Olympiastadion. (Photo by Pool/Filip Singer - Pool/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY: Tyler Adams of RB Leipzig battles for possession with Matteo Guendouzi of Hertha BSC during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and RB Leipzig at Olympiastadion. (Photo by Pool/Filip Singer – Pool/Getty Images)

Hertha BSC have recently changed manager, with the former coordinator of talent management Pál Dárdai taking over the role. Combine that with the arrival of Sami Khedira, and Matteo Guendouzi’s starting spot is suddenly much less certain.

The midfielder, who had started and played 90 minutes in 12 consecutive league games before Dárdai took the job, has only started two of the four since.

Guendouzi was on the bench against RB Leipzig on Sunday, and he came on with his team 1-0 down and 22 minutes remaining.

Unfortunately, he didn’t make much of a case for himself. First, he went down softly in his own box to concede possession just minutes after coming on, with Leipzig pouncing to score a second.

13 minutes later, Guendouzi was the closest player to a cross headed in by Willi Orban.

What was perhaps just as worrying was that Guendouzi came on as a direct replacement for Khedira. Hertha signed the German in January, and there was always a risk the manager might see him and Guendouzi as two players fighting for one spot.

We shouldn’t panic just yet. It’s just one bad performance from Guendouzi, and it’s very possible Dárdai settles on a team that includes both of this season’s midfield signings. It’s just a little worrying for the potential success of the rest of the loan.