Points shared in Mönchengladbach
Points shared in Mönchengladbach
Hertha BSC drew 1-1 with Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday afternoon. Mattéo Guendouzi scored his first goal for the visitors.
Bruno Labbadia made two changes to the side that emerged victorious in last week’s derby. Double goalscorer Krzysztof Piątek started in place of the suspended Matheus Cunha while Javairô Dilrosun came in for Lucas Tousart, who settled for a place on the bench. For the opposition, Marco Rose made six changes from the UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Former Hertha players Valentino Lazaro and Ibrahima Traoré came in, as did Denis Zakaria, Patrick Herrmann, Hannes Wolf, replacing Stefan Lainer, Marcus Thuram, Christoph Kramer, Alassane Pléa and Lars Stindl in the Foals' starting XI. There was also a change in goal, where Tobias Sippel replaced Yann Sommer.
Neither team was giving anything away in an intense and physical opening period. With their early pressing and work to disrupt the opposition, Labbadia’s side began to gain the upper-hand against the Champions League participants. There were no clear chances at either end, though, as the final ball was missing for much of the early reckoning. When the Hertha goal came under threat, Alexander Schwolow was there to keep out Breel Embolo’s effort (32’). On the counter, Piątek had Hertha’s first opportunity, but he was unable to take his chance after good build-up play from Dilrosun. Only three minutes later it was Peter Pekarík who forced Gladbach 'keeper Sippel into a first save of the match (35’). At the other end Schwolow did well to parry a hard-hit shot from Hannes Wolf (42’), sending the game into the break all-square.
Gladbach respond to Guendouzi screamer
The Old Lady delivered a hammer blow to begin the second half. Dilrosun won the ball back on the edge of the opposition penalty area before Darida played a pin-point pass into Guendouzi. The Frenchman gave Sippel no chance as he lashed his first Bundesliga goal into the top corner (47’). The hosts soon pressed hard in search of a reply. Herrmann put the ball in the net but was flagged for offside (50’) before Wolf couldn’t find the target with his effort (59’). Two minutes later, Dedryck Boyata cleared an effort off the line after it looped over Schwolow and looked destined for the net. Schwolow then did well to stop a Herrmann free-kick (63'). Borussia head coach Rose brought Plea, Thuram and Lainer onto the pitch in search of fresh impetus, and Gladbach were rewarded for their improved performance in the 70th minute when Embolo scored to level things at 1-1. Labbadia reacted with a triple change, bringing on Mathew Leckie, Lucas Tousart and Jessic Ngankam for Lukébakio, Darida and Dilrosun. Hertha were now coping better with the Gladbach pressure and began to look more threatening themselves, although there was no way through for the blue-and-whites. The only notable Hertha chance in the closing minutes was missed by substitute Daishawn Redan (85’), meaning that the points were shared in Mönchengladbach.
With this draw Hertha BSC now lie 11th in the table. There is a quick turnaround for Labbadia’s men, who will host 1. FSV Mainz 05 at the Olympiastadion on Tuesday evening (15/12/20, 20:30 CET).
32’: First dangerous attack for Marco Rose’s team. Breel Embolo charges down the wing but shoots right at Schwolow from a tight angle.
32’: Going straight down the other end, Dilrosun finds Piątek but the Pole can only shoot over the bar.
35’: Another Hertha chance! Pekarík shoots from distance and Sippel pulls off his first save of the match to turn the ball away for a corner.
42’: Hannes Wolf hits a rocket from range, but Alexander Schwolow stops the Austrian's effort. Corner.
47’: YEEEESSSS! Dilrosun robs Zakaria of the ball in the area and it comes to Darida, who gives it to Mattéo Guendouzi. The Frenchman doesn’t need a second invitation and smashes the ball into the top corner. What a strike!
62’: Boyata! Patrick Hermann lobs Schwolli, but the Belgian saves Hertha with a clearance just centimetres from the goal-line. The blue-and-whites' lead remains intact.
66’: The side from Berlin look dangerous too. Sippel goes full-stretch to stop Lukébakio’s effort from the edge of the box.
70’: An equaliser for Embolo. Neuhaus splits the defence with a clever ball towards Herrmann, who heads it into the path of the Swiss. The captain for the day has a simple finish.
85’: A goal-kick from Schwolow drops right in front of the substitute Redan. The Dutchman’s weak effort misses at the far post.