Berlin: Hertha Berlin defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday, dealing their former player Niko Kovac his first loss as coach of the German champion.

Kovac was part of Hertha’s midfield with Pal Dardai — who is now Hertha’s coach — from 2003 to 2006.

Dardai outwitted him this time, as veteran forward Vedad Ibisevic and league top-scorer Ondrej Duda struck in the first half to hand Bayern his first defeat in all competitions this season.

It was also the second consecutive league game that Bayern dropped points, after Augsburg struck late to snatch a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

The win moved Hertha level on 13 points with Bayern, which leads on goal difference but can be overtaken after this weekend’s games.

The 34-year-old Ibisevic rewarded the home side’s promising start when he converted a penalty in the 23rd minute.

Defender Jerome Boateng — also back at his former club — conceded it by bringing down Salomon Kalou with a careless challenge, after Manuel Neuer made a brilliant save to deny the Ivorian striker.

Bayern responded with more pressure. Joshua Kimmich did brilliantly to elude defender Karim Rekik with a flick, only for teammate Franck Ribery to block his goal-bound shot.

Just before the break, Kalou played in Valentino Lazaro, who cut the ball back for Duda to rifle in under the bar. It was the Slovakia midfielder’s fifth goal of the season.

In Saint-Itienne, France, Monaco slumped to their sixth defeat in all competitions this season when they lost 2-0 at Saint Etienne, a worrying setback just days before they face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Monaco, runners-up in Ligue 1 to Paris Saint Germain last season, remain third from bottom of the table with just one victory — achieved on the opening day of the campaign — to their name.

Friday’s loss was Monaco’s second defeat of the week after they went down 1-0 to Angers on Tuesday.

That embarrassment prompted under-fire coach Leonardo Jardim to make seven changes to his starting line-up but the radical surgery had little effect.

Radamel Falcao wasted a handful of chances before Saint Etienne took a grip on the game.