Teams | March 7, 2015 at 01:38 AM
Crucial point
Crucial point
0-0: Hertha BSC take crucial away point in Stuttgart.
Stuttgart - Hertha BSC travelled south to take on rock-bottom-placed VfB Stuttgart in the opening game of Bundesliga matchday 24 on Friday night (06.03.15). The intensely fought encounter ended in a 0-0 draw. Berlin coach Pal Dardai was without suspended duo Skjelbred and Niemeyer, who were replaced by Jens Hegeler and John Heitinga in the starting line-up, with the Dutchman playing alongside skipper Fabian Lustenberger in defensive midfield. Valentin Stocker returned from suspension and got the nod over Schulz who reverted to the bench. Tolga Cigerci also returned to the squad after an age on the sidelines through injury. He took his place on the bench at first. The home side under former Hertha head coach Huub Stevens made two changes to the team which drew 1-1 in Hannover last time out: Suspended Harnik was replaced by Filip Kostic, and Adam Hlousek got the nod over Sakai at left back.
Both teams made a determined start to the game and as expected the visitors remained patient, hoping for a chance to hit VfB on the break. Stuttgart created the opening chance as Kostic got a shot away which failed to trouble Berlin keeper Thomas Kraft (6.). Hertha front man Salomon Kalou then failed to get enough power and direction onto a header following a cross by Heitinga, and home keeper Sven Ulreich easily dealt with the situation (12.). Things became a little closer only two minutes later as Stuttgart's Timo Werner stroked the ball left of target while handily placed.
Cigerci comeback
Daniel Schwaab headed the ball into the arms of Kraft following a corner (18.). On 25 minutes Hertha created the first dangerous chance of the game as Stocker latched onto a cross by Beerens, forcing a fine save from Ullreich The Schwabian hosts had more possession but were unable to capitalise on it - the same could be said for Hertha, as Stocker fired a shot high and wide of goal (37.) and Hlousek failed to net from a tight angle (45.). They were the final chances of the opening half.
Dardia decided on two changes at haltime. The Hungarian national team coach brought on Nico Schulz for Hegeler, and Tolga Cigerci took the place of Heitinga - much to the delight of the 1,000 Hertha fans who had made the long trip south. The game became more scrappy as challenges flew in from all angles. The lack of flow in the game beforehand became almost non-existent as the whistle was blown at almost every opportunity. Schwaab got away a shot from distance but aimed far too high and the danger passed (62.). Four minutes later the ball landed at the feet of young Stuttgart striker Daniel Ginczek, but Kraft left his line to tighten the angle, and the effort flew wide of target (66.).
Schulz sent off
The visiotrs continued to focus on defensive matters while the home side tried their luck with set pieces. Kostic fired a free kick well over the bar from 25 metres out (70.). After a corner Kraft needed both fists to deal with a header by Schwaab (72.). Hertha then mounted a copybook counter attack which almost ended in a sucker punch, as Kalou received the ball and drew four VfB defenders before finding Schulz advancing unmarked into the home box. Ullreich left his line to challenge him and Schulz pushed the ball agonisingly wide of the far post in what was the best chance for either side in the game (81.). Kraft who had been checked by Niedermeier inside his own area at the start of the second half and needed several minutes of treatment, was then forced off with suspected concussion on 83 minutes, which meant a rare chance for number two stopper Sascha Burchert.
Match referee Felix Brych added seven minutes on at the end following the treatment administred to Kraft. In the first minute of injury time Stocker nodded a Beerens cross narrowly wide of goal. In the final minute Schulz was shown a second yellow card for a tactical foul, and will miss the visit of Champions League participants Schalke to the Olympic stadium in Berlin next saturday (14.03.15, 3.30 pm) on matchday 25.
(rd,war/City-Press)
Both teams made a determined start to the game and as expected the visitors remained patient, hoping for a chance to hit VfB on the break. Stuttgart created the opening chance as Kostic got a shot away which failed to trouble Berlin keeper Thomas Kraft (6.). Hertha front man Salomon Kalou then failed to get enough power and direction onto a header following a cross by Heitinga, and home keeper Sven Ulreich easily dealt with the situation (12.). Things became a little closer only two minutes later as Stuttgart's Timo Werner stroked the ball left of target while handily placed.
Cigerci comeback
Daniel Schwaab headed the ball into the arms of Kraft following a corner (18.). On 25 minutes Hertha created the first dangerous chance of the game as Stocker latched onto a cross by Beerens, forcing a fine save from Ullreich The Schwabian hosts had more possession but were unable to capitalise on it - the same could be said for Hertha, as Stocker fired a shot high and wide of goal (37.) and Hlousek failed to net from a tight angle (45.). They were the final chances of the opening half.
Dardia decided on two changes at haltime. The Hungarian national team coach brought on Nico Schulz for Hegeler, and Tolga Cigerci took the place of Heitinga - much to the delight of the 1,000 Hertha fans who had made the long trip south. The game became more scrappy as challenges flew in from all angles. The lack of flow in the game beforehand became almost non-existent as the whistle was blown at almost every opportunity. Schwaab got away a shot from distance but aimed far too high and the danger passed (62.). Four minutes later the ball landed at the feet of young Stuttgart striker Daniel Ginczek, but Kraft left his line to tighten the angle, and the effort flew wide of target (66.).
Schulz sent off
The visiotrs continued to focus on defensive matters while the home side tried their luck with set pieces. Kostic fired a free kick well over the bar from 25 metres out (70.). After a corner Kraft needed both fists to deal with a header by Schwaab (72.). Hertha then mounted a copybook counter attack which almost ended in a sucker punch, as Kalou received the ball and drew four VfB defenders before finding Schulz advancing unmarked into the home box. Ullreich left his line to challenge him and Schulz pushed the ball agonisingly wide of the far post in what was the best chance for either side in the game (81.). Kraft who had been checked by Niedermeier inside his own area at the start of the second half and needed several minutes of treatment, was then forced off with suspected concussion on 83 minutes, which meant a rare chance for number two stopper Sascha Burchert.
Match referee Felix Brych added seven minutes on at the end following the treatment administred to Kraft. In the first minute of injury time Stocker nodded a Beerens cross narrowly wide of goal. In the final minute Schulz was shown a second yellow card for a tactical foul, and will miss the visit of Champions League participants Schalke to the Olympic stadium in Berlin next saturday (14.03.15, 3.30 pm) on matchday 25.
(rd,war/City-Press)