Points shared with Wolfsburg
Points shared with Wolfsburg
Hertha BSC drew 1-1 with undefeated VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday evening (01/11/20), as Mattéo Guendouzi made his debut in blue and white. Matheus Cunha scored for Hertha.
In the first meeting between head coach Bruno Labbadia and his former club, the Hertha boss sent out the same team that fell to a narrow defeat against RasenBallsport Leipzig last weekend. Deyovaisio Zeefuik was suspended after receiving a red card in the previous fixture, while Mattéo Guendouzi appeared in the matchday squad for the first time, taking his place on the bench.
For the opposition, VfL head coach Oliver Glasner made three changes to the team that picked up a first league win of the season against Arminia Bielefeld last weekend; Josuha Guilavogui, Maximilian Arnold and Admir Mehmedi dropped out with Xaver Schlager, Yannick Gerhardt and Josip Brekalo taking their places in the starting XI. Two ex-Hertha players started for the visitors, with John Anthony Brooks and Maximilian Philipp both in the line-up.
An intense battle developed right from the start, with both sides working hard in the early stages. After just 180 seconds, the ball was already in the net, but Philipp’s goal for Wolfsburg was correctly ruled out for offside (3’). Three minutes later, it was Hertha who were celebrating. After a superb solo run from Dodi Lukébakio, the Belgian laid the ball off to Matheus Cunha on the edge of the area. Our number 10 slipped as he shot, but the ball snuck into the far left corner regardless to give Hertha an early lead (6’). The goal lifted Labbadia’s team, and Jhon Córdoba soon headed a cross from Mittelstädt over the bar (10’). The visitors began to pose more of an attacking threat, though, with Brekalo and Schlager testing Alexander Schwolow twice in quick succession (17’, 18’). The goalkeeper was helpless to stop Ridle Baku’s effort, though, as the Wolfsburg man’s rocket restored parity not long after (20’). The match continued to entertain, with both teams looking for a route towards goal. The dangerous-looking Lukébakio hit the side-netting from a tight angle (32’) before former Wolfsburg man Peter Pekarík tested Koen Casteels from distance (33’). Two minutes later, Omar Alderete tumbled to the floor in the Wolfsburg penalty area; referee Martin Petersen pointed to the spot, only for VAR to overrule his decision (38’). Pekarík had the last chance of the half as the clock wound down (40’).
A dangerous high press
The capital city club began the second half with renewed pressing intensity. Cunha fired a warning shot from a free-kick (50’), while Lukébakio could only shoot straight at Casteels from a great position on the counter (53’). During this period of dominance, Guendouzi replaced compatriot Lucas Tousart to celebrate his debut in blue and white (57’). Hertha continued to put Wolfsburg through the ringer with intense high pressing, robbing the opposition of the ball on numerous occasions. Captain Dedryck Boyata got on the end of a corner to head over (64’) and Cunha set Córdoba free after winning the ball, but the Colombian was denied by an outstanding block by a defender in green (73’). At the other end, Wout Weghorst headed narrowly wide with the first notable chance of the half for the Wolves (77’). After that defensive lapse, the Berliners continued to create good opportunites; Córdoba and Boyata both had late eaded chances, but both failed to convert (81’, 84’). The game finished 1-1.
Despite a good performance, Hertha will have to make do with a point against Wolfsburg, who remain undefeated. At the very least, the draw halts Hertha’s run of four consecutive defeats, even if the chances to claim all three points were certainly there. The wait for a first home victory of 2020/21 goes on. Next Saturday, Hertha visit Augsburg for matchday seven of the Bundesliga (07/11/20, 15:30 CET).
3’: The ball is past Alexander Schwolow, but Weghorst – and probably Philipp as well – is offside.
6’: GOAAAAAAAAAAAL. What happened there then? Cunha gets the ball in the box, but he slips and the ball just about trickles into the far corner! Who cares how it goes in, though?
20’: 1-1...
32’: Dodi gets the ball and has a go from a tight angle. The ball flies past the post and hits the side-netting. Goal kick.
35’: Alderete hits the ground in the penalty area, and the penalty is given. He tees himself up for a header with a little flick and Weghorst pulls his foot away, but was there a foul by Baku? The referee checks the incident on the screen, and changes his initial decision. No penalty.
40’: A nice attack with Cunha, Córdoba and Lukébakio all getting in on the action. It reaches Pekarík in the area, but he doesn’t catch the ball as he would’ve liked. Almost!50’: Cunha, always at the heart of the action, tries a free-kick, but Casteels is able to save without any drama.
53’: Córdoba finds his teammate with a perfect pass, but Lukébakio can’t finish off the chance from the right. Casteels saves with his feet. Shame!
73’: Good stuff. Cunha wins the ball after a poor pass by Brooks, and the Brazilian finds Córdoba completely free. The Colombian takes too long, though, allowing Wolfsburg to block. Just a corner when the goal was there for the taking.
77’: First chance of note for Wolfsburg this half. Weghorst heads a free-kick past the post. Close one.
81’: Plattenhardt crosses well into the area. Córdoba heads over.
84’: Another cross sails into the box. Boyata gets above his opposite number but the header bounces harmlessly over the bar.