Teams | December 1, 2013 at 12:01 PM
0-0 home draw with Augsburg
0-0 home draw with Augsburg
More possession failed to see Hertha through to victory as the capital city side drew 0-0 at home to FC Augsburg.
Berlin - Hertha BSC could only draw 0-0 at home to FC Augsburg in front of only 38,667 at the Olympic stadium in Berlin on Bundesliga matchday 14 on Saturday afternoon (30.11.13). The home side had much more of the ball but were unable to convert their advantage into goals. Both coaches made just one change to their starting line-ups from last time out. Berlin boss Jos Luhukay welcomed back Marcel Ndjeng who replaced Sami Allagui, while Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl was without his tricky winger André Hahn through suspension. His place went to Ronny Philp.
The home side took the early initiative while the visitors concentrated on keeping them at bay at all costs. Adrian Ramos was first to threaten from distance, but his effort was deflected behind for a corner by the long leg of Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker (9.). Ten minutes later Ndjeng broke well down the left before laying the ball off to Ben-Hatira who hit the ball on the volley, only to watch it fly narrowly wide of the left hand upright. Moments later Luhukay was forced into a change, as Peter Niemeyer came on for Sebastian Langkamp who had picked up an injury. Hajime Hosogai reverted back to central defence.
Hertha with more possession but no penetration
The visitors were more or less non-existent, although their full back Matthias Ostrzolek joined a rare venture forward only to fire the ball well wide of target from the edge of the Berlin box (31.). Hertha were once again unable to find a telling pass in the final third. On 37 minutes Ben-Hatira found Ndjeng with a sweet through ball. His shot however was brilliantly tipped around his post by Augsburg keeper Marwin Hitz (37.). The game was goalless at halftime.
The second half began with the home side pinning Augsburg back in their own half. Once again Ramos had the opening chance of the half as the Columbian tried a shot on the turn. Luckily for the visitors, Hitz was on his guard to turn the ball away for a corner from the foot of his right hand post (55.). The game lacked fluidity and Luhukay reacted by bringing on a little more midfield creativity in Hany Mukhtar who replaced Skjelbred. Still goalmouth action remained a rarity.
Braunschweig away next on Sunday
Hertha brought on Nico Schulz for Ben-Hatira fifteen minutes from the end. Ramos was unlucky to see his 20 metre thunderbolt fizz past a post (81.). Despite throwing everything they had at Augsburg, Hertha simply couldn't break them down and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Luhukay's men are in action again next Sunday (08.12.13, 5.30 pm), as they take on fellow promoted side Eintracht Braunschweig away from home.
The home side took the early initiative while the visitors concentrated on keeping them at bay at all costs. Adrian Ramos was first to threaten from distance, but his effort was deflected behind for a corner by the long leg of Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker (9.). Ten minutes later Ndjeng broke well down the left before laying the ball off to Ben-Hatira who hit the ball on the volley, only to watch it fly narrowly wide of the left hand upright. Moments later Luhukay was forced into a change, as Peter Niemeyer came on for Sebastian Langkamp who had picked up an injury. Hajime Hosogai reverted back to central defence.
Hertha with more possession but no penetration
The visitors were more or less non-existent, although their full back Matthias Ostrzolek joined a rare venture forward only to fire the ball well wide of target from the edge of the Berlin box (31.). Hertha were once again unable to find a telling pass in the final third. On 37 minutes Ben-Hatira found Ndjeng with a sweet through ball. His shot however was brilliantly tipped around his post by Augsburg keeper Marwin Hitz (37.). The game was goalless at halftime.
The second half began with the home side pinning Augsburg back in their own half. Once again Ramos had the opening chance of the half as the Columbian tried a shot on the turn. Luckily for the visitors, Hitz was on his guard to turn the ball away for a corner from the foot of his right hand post (55.). The game lacked fluidity and Luhukay reacted by bringing on a little more midfield creativity in Hany Mukhtar who replaced Skjelbred. Still goalmouth action remained a rarity.
Braunschweig away next on Sunday
Hertha brought on Nico Schulz for Ben-Hatira fifteen minutes from the end. Ramos was unlucky to see his 20 metre thunderbolt fizz past a post (81.). Despite throwing everything they had at Augsburg, Hertha simply couldn't break them down and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Luhukay's men are in action again next Sunday (08.12.13, 5.30 pm), as they take on fellow promoted side Eintracht Braunschweig away from home.