Point with Athletic Club to start Europa League campaign

Hertha opened their 2017/18 European adventure with a goalless draw at home to Spanish side Athletic Club de Bilbao. Pal Dardai’s side started slowly, but were eventually forced to settle for a point after dominating the second half.

Berlin – Hertha returned to the Europa League after a seven year absence and put on a strong display at the Olympiastadion on Thursday evening.

Berlin– Hertha returned to the Europa League after a seven year absence and put on a strong display at the Olympiastadion on Thursday evening.

Pal Dardai made five changes from last weekend’s starting XI against Bremen, most notably bringing in Thomas Kraft for Rune Jarstein in goal and handing a start to Ondrej Duda. Peter Pekarik came in at left back as Fabian Lustenberger replaced Per Skjelbred in the centre. Up top, Salomon Kalou started ahead of Mathew Leckie and Alex Esswein also missed out.

The visitors made the hotter start in a chilly capital, and Kraft was called into action straight away to deny Vesga. He could do nothing a few minutes later though and could only watch as Munian’s shot floated agonsingly wide of the far post. Hertha grew in confidence and looked to try and use the wings to create a threat on the Athletic goal, but it took until the 30th minute for Vladimir Darida to lash one wide of the upright. The hosts saw more of their opponents penalty area towards the end of the half, and it was the Czech number six who came closest right on half time as his half-volley drifted just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Whatever Pal Dardai said at half-time worked wonders once the whistle blew again in the second half. First Marvin Plattenhardt’s fierce drive was turned away at the near post before Kalou saw his shot saved and captain Vedad Ibisevic’s effort also couldn’t find a way past the Atheltic ‘keeper. Hertha were by far and away the better side, but Plattenhardt was denied again while Weiser couldn’t find the back of the net either around the hour. The best chance of the night came at the death when Haraguchi found himself clean through, only to be charged down at the last minute. Hertha huffed and puffed, but ultimately could not blow down the Spanish door. The Ostkurve in the Olympiastadion, along with Dardai and the rest of the boys, had to settle for a point.

The visitors made the hotter start in a chilly capital, and Kraft was called into action straight away to deny Vesga. He could do nothing a few minutes later though and could only watch as Munian’s shot floated agonsingly wide of the far post. Hertha grew in confidence and looked to try and use the wings to create a threat on the Athletic goal, but it took until the 30th minute for Vladimir Darida to lash one wide of the upright. The hosts saw more of their opponents penalty area towards the end of the half, and it was the Czech number six who came closest right on half time as his half-volley drifted just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Whatever Pal Dardai said at half-time worked wonders once the whistle blew again in the second half. First Marvin Plattenhardt’s fierce drive was turned away at the near post before Kalou saw his shot saved and captain Vedad Ibisevic’s effort also couldn’t find a way past the Atheltic ‘keeper. Hertha were by far and away the better side, but Plattenhardt was denied again while Weiser couldn’t find the back of the net either around the hour. The best chance of the night came at the death when Haraguchi found himself clean through, only to be charged down at the last minute. Hertha huffed and puffed, but ultimately could not blow down the Spanish door. The Ostkurve in the Olympiastadion, along with Dardai and the rest of the boys, had to settle for a point.

Östersunds top Group J after their 2-0 win away against Zorya, so Hertha and Athletic share second place after Matchday 1. The Bundesliga resumes of Sunday, as the Blue-Whites face fellow Europa Leaguers Hoffenheim at 13:30CEST in Sinsheim.