Teams | November 25, 2013 at 02:39 PM
Narrow home defeat to Leverkusen
Narrow home defeat to Leverkusen
Despite performing well, Hertha BSC lost 0-1 at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Berlin - Hertha were once again left empty handed after another good performance against Champions League participants. A crowd of 47,419 at the Olympic stadium in Berlin on Saturday afternoon (including the English FA managing director Adrian Bevington) saw the capital city side narrowly lose 0-1 to Bayer Leverkusen. Home coach Jos Luhukay kept faith in the team which won at Hoffenheim before the break for international games, while his Leverkusen counterpart Sami Hypiä made two changes to his side which beat HSV last time out. Lars Bender and Philipp Wollscheid got the nod ahead of Emir Spahic and Sebastian Boenisch.
Bayer were forced to make a change to their team after only three minutes as Jens Hegeler replaced injured Germany midfielder Sidney Sam. There was little goalmouth action early on despite the home side pinning the visitors back in their own half. Luhukay's side were without the kind of luck needed to prevail against high class opposition. A last ditch clearance by Emre Can foiled a shot by Allagui from only eight metres out (16.). Leverkusen blocked another shot moments later (17.). A ball into the box by Adrian Ramos was also cleared away for a corner (25.).
Leverkusen: First chance – first goal
Leverkusen on the other hand scored with their first chance of the game, as a counter attack ended in Hegeler (looked to be offside) finding danger man Stefan Kießling who scored on 29 minutes. Home keeper Thomas Kraft got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it from going in. Hertha showed character by continuing to press forward. On 31 minutes Ben-Hatira nodded a Pekarik cross to the left of target. Seconds later Ramos aimed a header straight at Bayer keeper Leno following a floated free kick by Tolga Cigerci (32.). Per Skjelbred sent a brilliant pass into the path of Ben-Hatira who advanced on Leno alone, only for the ball to bobble at the last minute, allowing the keeper to clear the danger (36.). Gonzalo Castro missed a good chance to double his side's advantage as he headed a ball wide of target with the better-positioned Son lurking close by (43.). The visitors led 1-0 at halftime.
Luhukay brought on Hany Mukhtar for Allagui at the start of the second half, which meant that Skjelbred reverted to the right. Hertha had more of the ball but were unable to create many clearcut chances at first. On 62 minutes Mukhtar fired well over te bar from distance. Then Pekarik crossed to the far post to Cigerci, whose header was brilliantly saved by Leno. The ball landed at the feet of Skjelbred, who blasted the ball over from the edge of the Bayer box (65.). The visitors mounted occasional counter attacks and on one occasion Kraft was called into action to thwart Son (66.).
Ronny and Wagner introduced late on
Kraft was in action again as he denied substitute Robbie Kruse (on for Son). The keeper raced off his line to clear the danger (74.). Luhukay brought on Sandro Wagner for Ben-Hatira. Ramos reverted to the left wing. Ronny also came on for Skjelbred. A combination involving both subs led to a good chance, but Wagner could only head Ronny's corner over the bar (87.). Hertha continued attacking deep into injury time. Wagner set Ronny up on the edge of te area but the Brazilian failed to connect with the ball properly and another chance went begging (90. +2).
Hosogai and Kraft then combined to prevent Kruse from scoring a second goal for the visitors moments ahead of the full time whistle. Once again Hertha were not rewarded for 90 minutes of effort. Luckily Luhukay and Co. have a chance to recuperate the points lost on matchday 13 when they entertain FC Augsburg at the Olympic stadium next Saturday (30.11.13, 3.30 pm).
Bayer were forced to make a change to their team after only three minutes as Jens Hegeler replaced injured Germany midfielder Sidney Sam. There was little goalmouth action early on despite the home side pinning the visitors back in their own half. Luhukay's side were without the kind of luck needed to prevail against high class opposition. A last ditch clearance by Emre Can foiled a shot by Allagui from only eight metres out (16.). Leverkusen blocked another shot moments later (17.). A ball into the box by Adrian Ramos was also cleared away for a corner (25.).
Leverkusen: First chance – first goal
Leverkusen on the other hand scored with their first chance of the game, as a counter attack ended in Hegeler (looked to be offside) finding danger man Stefan Kießling who scored on 29 minutes. Home keeper Thomas Kraft got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it from going in. Hertha showed character by continuing to press forward. On 31 minutes Ben-Hatira nodded a Pekarik cross to the left of target. Seconds later Ramos aimed a header straight at Bayer keeper Leno following a floated free kick by Tolga Cigerci (32.). Per Skjelbred sent a brilliant pass into the path of Ben-Hatira who advanced on Leno alone, only for the ball to bobble at the last minute, allowing the keeper to clear the danger (36.). Gonzalo Castro missed a good chance to double his side's advantage as he headed a ball wide of target with the better-positioned Son lurking close by (43.). The visitors led 1-0 at halftime.
Luhukay brought on Hany Mukhtar for Allagui at the start of the second half, which meant that Skjelbred reverted to the right. Hertha had more of the ball but were unable to create many clearcut chances at first. On 62 minutes Mukhtar fired well over te bar from distance. Then Pekarik crossed to the far post to Cigerci, whose header was brilliantly saved by Leno. The ball landed at the feet of Skjelbred, who blasted the ball over from the edge of the Bayer box (65.). The visitors mounted occasional counter attacks and on one occasion Kraft was called into action to thwart Son (66.).
Ronny and Wagner introduced late on
Kraft was in action again as he denied substitute Robbie Kruse (on for Son). The keeper raced off his line to clear the danger (74.). Luhukay brought on Sandro Wagner for Ben-Hatira. Ramos reverted to the left wing. Ronny also came on for Skjelbred. A combination involving both subs led to a good chance, but Wagner could only head Ronny's corner over the bar (87.). Hertha continued attacking deep into injury time. Wagner set Ronny up on the edge of te area but the Brazilian failed to connect with the ball properly and another chance went begging (90. +2).
Hosogai and Kraft then combined to prevent Kruse from scoring a second goal for the visitors moments ahead of the full time whistle. Once again Hertha were not rewarded for 90 minutes of effort. Luckily Luhukay and Co. have a chance to recuperate the points lost on matchday 13 when they entertain FC Augsburg at the Olympic stadium next Saturday (30.11.13, 3.30 pm).