Teams | April 19, 2015 at 12:30 AM
Shame!
Shame!
Despite creating the better chances, Hertha BSC had to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to Cologne.
Berlin - Bundesliga matchday 29 saw Hertha BSC entertain Cologne in front of 51,203 inside the sun-drenched Olympic stadium in Berlin on Saturday afternoon (1804.15). Despite creating several clearcut chances the home side simply couldn't hit the back of the net. Berlin boss Pal Dardai made just one change to the team which drew 1-1 in Hannover last time out: Marvin Plattenhardt returned at left back, allowing Nico Schulz to move a place further up the field. Genki Haraguchi swapped wings and worked hard on the right for Beerens, who failed to become fit in time. The visitors had to do without Olkowski and Risse. Their places went to Peszko and Brecko.
Safety first seemed to be the early motto of the game between two neighbours in the Bundesliga table. Cologne began to tentatively move forward, without really threatening the goal being guarded by Thomas Kraft. Haraguchi was then in the spotlight twice at the other end. A superb through ball delivered inch-perfect by John Anthony Brooks was handled by the Japanese man so a good chance was missed. Moments late a nice one two with Valentin Stocker ended in Haraguchi failing to choose the right moment for a shot. Those early promising moments visibly boosted the Berliners and not long afterwards Kalou dribbled along the edge of the Cologne box but his shot was cleared away for a corner. That corner saw Per Skjelbred cross to the far post where Sebastian Langkamp forced a fine point blank save from Cologne keeper Timo Horn (17.).
Safety first seemed to be the early motto of the game between two neighbours in the Bundesliga table. Cologne began to tentatively move forward, without really threatening the goal being guarded by Thomas Kraft. Haraguchi was then in the spotlight twice at the other end. A superb through ball delivered inch-perfect by John Anthony Brooks was handled by the Japanese man so a good chance was missed. Moments late a nice one two with Valentin Stocker ended in Haraguchi failing to choose the right moment for a shot. Those early promising moments visibly boosted the Berliners and not long afterwards Kalou dribbled along the edge of the Cologne box but his shot was cleared away for a corner. That corner saw Per Skjelbred cross to the far post where Sebastian Langkamp forced a fine point blank save from Cologne keeper Timo Horn (17.).
Harmless in front of goal
The visitors were shouting for a penalty on 23 minutes and were right too, after Skjelbred almost pulled the shirt off the back of Dominic Maroh at a free kick. For some reason match referee Knut Kircher's whistle remained silent even though he appeared to have a decent view of the incident. The Norwegian had a chance at the other end after half an hour. The ball was played into his path but Skjelbred bearing down on Horn alone, pushed his shot agonisingly wide of the far post (30.). Cologne skipper Miso Brecko then had his side's best chance on 35 minutes as he had a fierce effort turned around a post by home stopper Kraft for a corner (35.). Hertha hit Cologne on the break from that corner but Stocker took a professional foul which prevented him from rounding off a promising move. Then a header by Maroh landed on to of the goal following a corner (43.). There were no goals in the first half.
Hertha began brightly after the break and created the opening chance of the new half, as Horn turned a Stocker header away for a corner (49.). Three minutes later Haraguchi went on one of his unstoppable runs from where he found Kalou. The Ivorian however failed to contrl the ball while being challenged by Horn (52.). Kalou found the arms of Horn with a shot on 56 minutes, while another header by Langkamp flew well over the crossbar (58.). Moments later Peter Pekarik crossed into the middle from the right. The ball found its way to Kalou and Schulz, but Haraguchi somehow managed to push the ball wide of target at the near post (59.). Hertha remained on top but simply didn't seem to have brought their scoring boots with them.
Solid defence provides crucial clean sheet
Cologne won a series of corners during the latter stages. Their best chance however came from open play as Ujah forced a low diving save from Kraft (80.). Dárdai then introduced some fresh legs as Jens Hegeler replaced Schulz. The substitute began with intent too, getting a shot away from 20 metres which failed to trouble Horn (83.). Marcel Ndjeng wanted to come on for the dying seconds but referee Kircher blew for time on the 0-0 draw right on the second.
Hertha had the better chances but simply couldn't score. So shares were spoiled in Berlin on matchday 29. Next Saturday (25.04.15) Dardai and Co. visit the sold out Allianz-Arena in Munich, where treble winners Bayern Munich await them on matchday 30.
(rd,war/City-Press)
The visitors were shouting for a penalty on 23 minutes and were right too, after Skjelbred almost pulled the shirt off the back of Dominic Maroh at a free kick. For some reason match referee Knut Kircher's whistle remained silent even though he appeared to have a decent view of the incident. The Norwegian had a chance at the other end after half an hour. The ball was played into his path but Skjelbred bearing down on Horn alone, pushed his shot agonisingly wide of the far post (30.). Cologne skipper Miso Brecko then had his side's best chance on 35 minutes as he had a fierce effort turned around a post by home stopper Kraft for a corner (35.). Hertha hit Cologne on the break from that corner but Stocker took a professional foul which prevented him from rounding off a promising move. Then a header by Maroh landed on to of the goal following a corner (43.). There were no goals in the first half.
Hertha began brightly after the break and created the opening chance of the new half, as Horn turned a Stocker header away for a corner (49.). Three minutes later Haraguchi went on one of his unstoppable runs from where he found Kalou. The Ivorian however failed to contrl the ball while being challenged by Horn (52.). Kalou found the arms of Horn with a shot on 56 minutes, while another header by Langkamp flew well over the crossbar (58.). Moments later Peter Pekarik crossed into the middle from the right. The ball found its way to Kalou and Schulz, but Haraguchi somehow managed to push the ball wide of target at the near post (59.). Hertha remained on top but simply didn't seem to have brought their scoring boots with them.
Solid defence provides crucial clean sheet
Cologne won a series of corners during the latter stages. Their best chance however came from open play as Ujah forced a low diving save from Kraft (80.). Dárdai then introduced some fresh legs as Jens Hegeler replaced Schulz. The substitute began with intent too, getting a shot away from 20 metres which failed to trouble Horn (83.). Marcel Ndjeng wanted to come on for the dying seconds but referee Kircher blew for time on the 0-0 draw right on the second.
Hertha had the better chances but simply couldn't score. So shares were spoiled in Berlin on matchday 29. Next Saturday (25.04.15) Dardai and Co. visit the sold out Allianz-Arena in Munich, where treble winners Bayern Munich await them on matchday 30.
(rd,war/City-Press)