Teams | May 16, 2015 at 10:26 PM
Safety postponed
Safety postponed
Herthaner drew 0-0 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Berlin - Hertha could only draw 0-0 with Eintracht Frankfurt in their final home game of the season, in front of a huge 60,168 - strong crowd at the Olympic stadium in Berlin on Saturday afternoon (16.05.15). Despite having the better chances a goal simply wouldn't happen. Hertha head coach Pál Dárdai kept faith with the team which lost 0-2 in Dortmund last time out. That line-up included John Anthony Brooks, Sebastian Langkamp and Valentin Stocker, all of whom were restricted in what they were able to do in training during the week as they were all carrying knocks. The Hessen-based visitors made two changes to the side which beat TSG Hoffenheim 3-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32, with suspended Russ being replaced by former Hertha man-mountain defender Aklex Madlung and injured midfielder Slobodan Medojevic replaced by Constant Djakpa.
Both defences took centre stage in front of a bumper crowd in the capital city early on. Hertha looked visibly on top but failed to back it up with scoring chances. During one promising counter attack Genki Haraguchi cut in from the right only to have his shot blocked by a timely challenge (14.). The home side improved midway through the opening half. Stocker and Kalou both missed a decent cross by Plattenhardt, which landed in the safe arms of Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp (23.). Shortly afterwards Kalou stark broke well down the left before cutting inside, only to have his effort scrambled away for a corner by the Eintracht defence (25.).
Both defences took centre stage in front of a bumper crowd in the capital city early on. Hertha looked visibly on top but failed to back it up with scoring chances. During one promising counter attack Genki Haraguchi cut in from the right only to have his shot blocked by a timely challenge (14.). The home side improved midway through the opening half. Stocker and Kalou both missed a decent cross by Plattenhardt, which landed in the safe arms of Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp (23.). Shortly afterwards Kalou stark broke well down the left before cutting inside, only to have his effort scrambled away for a corner by the Eintracht defence (25.).
Hertha the more dangerous side
Seconds after that, Brooks connected with a further cross, but his effort flew well wide of target. It remained a tough tussle with both sides battling hard in midfield. It took until the 38th minute for the visitors to "threaten" as Marc Stendera took a free kick from the left corner of Hertha's box which flew over the home crossbar (38.). Kalou then got a shot away from the edge of the box which fizzed narrowly wide of the far post (40.). Brooks then failed to get enough power and direction onto a floated free kick so the game was goalless at the break.
The start of the second half was slightly delayed to allow the smoke from smoke bombs and fireworks in the Eintracht supporters end to clear. When the game resumed Kalou won the ball off Aleksandar Ignjovski inside their box from where he tried to chip Trapp, who easily got his hands to it to avert the danger (54.). After just over an hour Nico Schulz found himself inside the Frankfurt area on the left from where he fed Peter Pekarik stark with a sweet pass. His ball however went in between both Stocker and Kalou and a good chance was missed (62.). The game continued to be plagued by niggly fouls in midfield.
No goals
Dardai brought on Ronny for Valentin Stocker for the final fifteen minutes or so and the Brazilian took a free kick right away, which found no takers inside the box. As the home side mounted a late offensive Kalou passed to Haraguchi who could only hit the side netting of Trapp's goal (80.). Five minutes later a Ronny free kick hit the wall and was easily dealt with by the Eintracht keeper (85.). Ronny and Kalou then combined to find Schulz, who, played a crisp low square ball inside but also failed to find a team mate (87.).
Two minutes were added on at the end of the game which still ended goalless. Hertha missed their chance of securing top flight status for next season. Dardai and Co. now play their final game away to TSG Hoffenheim next Saturday (23.05.15, 3.30 pm), hoping to finally get over the line to safety. Brook will not play a part though, after picking up a fifth booking and a one-match suspension against Frankfurt.
(rd,war/City-Press)
Seconds after that, Brooks connected with a further cross, but his effort flew well wide of target. It remained a tough tussle with both sides battling hard in midfield. It took until the 38th minute for the visitors to "threaten" as Marc Stendera took a free kick from the left corner of Hertha's box which flew over the home crossbar (38.). Kalou then got a shot away from the edge of the box which fizzed narrowly wide of the far post (40.). Brooks then failed to get enough power and direction onto a floated free kick so the game was goalless at the break.
The start of the second half was slightly delayed to allow the smoke from smoke bombs and fireworks in the Eintracht supporters end to clear. When the game resumed Kalou won the ball off Aleksandar Ignjovski inside their box from where he tried to chip Trapp, who easily got his hands to it to avert the danger (54.). After just over an hour Nico Schulz found himself inside the Frankfurt area on the left from where he fed Peter Pekarik stark with a sweet pass. His ball however went in between both Stocker and Kalou and a good chance was missed (62.). The game continued to be plagued by niggly fouls in midfield.
No goals
Dardai brought on Ronny for Valentin Stocker for the final fifteen minutes or so and the Brazilian took a free kick right away, which found no takers inside the box. As the home side mounted a late offensive Kalou passed to Haraguchi who could only hit the side netting of Trapp's goal (80.). Five minutes later a Ronny free kick hit the wall and was easily dealt with by the Eintracht keeper (85.). Ronny and Kalou then combined to find Schulz, who, played a crisp low square ball inside but also failed to find a team mate (87.).
Two minutes were added on at the end of the game which still ended goalless. Hertha missed their chance of securing top flight status for next season. Dardai and Co. now play their final game away to TSG Hoffenheim next Saturday (23.05.15, 3.30 pm), hoping to finally get over the line to safety. Brook will not play a part though, after picking up a fifth booking and a one-match suspension against Frankfurt.
(rd,war/City-Press)