Teams | January 23, 2016 at 07:51 PM
Hard-fought draw
Hard-fought draw
Hertha drew 0-0 at home to FC Augsburg on Bundesliga matchday 18 on Saturday afternoon.
Berlin - Hertha BSC began their second half of the 2015/16 campaign with a goalless draw in front of 35,000 at the ice cold Olympic stadium in Berlin on Saturday afternoon. It was Hertha’s eighth clean sheet of the season so far.
Hertha coach Pál Dárdai began with exactly the same starting line-up which beat FSV Mainz 2-0 in the final game of 2015. Key defender Sebastian Langkamp became fit in time to play. Augsburg boss Markus Weinzierl made just one change to the team which triumphed 1-0 away to HSV last time out, with Kohr getting the nod over former Bayern midfielder Feulner.
Hertha coach Pál Dárdai began with exactly the same starting line-up which beat FSV Mainz 2-0 in the final game of 2015. Key defender Sebastian Langkamp became fit in time to play. Augsburg boss Markus Weinzierl made just one change to the team which triumphed 1-0 away to HSV last time out, with Kohr getting the nod over former Bayern midfielder Feulner.
Both sides made a bright start creating chances at both ends. Hertha keeper Rune Jarstein was called into action first to deal with a header by ever-busy Caiuby (2.). Moments later the home side threatened for the first time through Mitchell Weiser. Both teams remained active and further chances followed through Salomon Kalou (13.), Vedad Ibisevic after being played in by Genki Haraguchi (14.) and Marvin Plattenhardt following a corner (18.). Augsburg had two headers from a free kick on 19 minutes, neither of which were converted. The visitors then broke down the right but Jarstein was on hand to avert the danger (24.). Although Hertha were visibly on top during that period they failed to create any really clearcut chances. The visitors waited for a chance to hit them on the break. The home side should have opened the scoring as a defensive mistake saw Ibisevic get a shot away inside the Augsburg box. Luckily for the visitors their keeper Hitz did well to take the sting out of what was a fierce effort. The game was nicely poised at 0-0 as the half time whistle sounded.
Hertha had the opening chance of the second half. Breaking down the right Ibisevic found Vladimir Darida with a clever back heel. Although handily placed in a central position the Czech’s effort flew wide of goal (50.). At the other end Bobadilla missed the best chance of the game as he advanced alone into the Hertha box only to screw his shot wide as it looked much easier to score. After that both sides cancelled each other in midfield and goalmouth action became a rarity. On 65 minutes Kalou got a shot away which was blocked following a corner. Six minutes late Ibisevic fired wide from the edge of the Augsburg area (71.). Hertha were missing the final telling pass as were Augsburg, so when full time came in the goalless draw everyone agreed that it was about the right result on the balance of play. Hertha remain in third place in the Bundesliga table.
Matchday 19 sees Dardai and Co. On their travels as they visit the Weserstadion in Bremen, where Werder Bremen await them on Saturday January 30th in a game which kicks off at 3.30 PM.
(rd,kk/City-Press)
Hertha had the opening chance of the second half. Breaking down the right Ibisevic found Vladimir Darida with a clever back heel. Although handily placed in a central position the Czech’s effort flew wide of goal (50.). At the other end Bobadilla missed the best chance of the game as he advanced alone into the Hertha box only to screw his shot wide as it looked much easier to score. After that both sides cancelled each other in midfield and goalmouth action became a rarity. On 65 minutes Kalou got a shot away which was blocked following a corner. Six minutes late Ibisevic fired wide from the edge of the Augsburg area (71.). Hertha were missing the final telling pass as were Augsburg, so when full time came in the goalless draw everyone agreed that it was about the right result on the balance of play. Hertha remain in third place in the Bundesliga table.
Matchday 19 sees Dardai and Co. On their travels as they visit the Weserstadion in Bremen, where Werder Bremen await them on Saturday January 30th in a game which kicks off at 3.30 PM.
(rd,kk/City-Press)