Santiago Ascacibar fights for the ball
First team | April 10, 2021, 05:31 PM

Wild ride in Mönchengladbach draw

Pál Dárdai made two changes to the team that started the Berlin Derby. Márton Dárdai overcame his knee injury to return to the starting eleven, replacing Jordan Torunarigha in the line-up. Santiago Ascacíbar took the place of Lucas Tousart, who missed the game through suspension.

Sommer sent off - Ascacíbar scores and Borussia respond

Both teams quickly went on the attack and the first chance fell to the home side. Yann Sommer was there to stop Matheus Cunha’s effort from the edge of the box (9’), but the Borussia ‘keeper was too slow off his line when the next threat arrived. He clattered into Jhon Córdoba just outside the box and referee Patrick Ittrich didn’t hesitate to brandish the red card (13’). Borussia head coach Marco Rose was forced to turn to substitute goalkeeper Tobias Sippel, taking off Oscar Wendt and switching to a back four. The blue-and-whites were encouraged by the advantage and began to apply some pressure. The lead soon arrived thanks to a wonderful goal from range by Ascacíbar, which was deflected slightly by Christoph Kramer (23’). A deserved lead for Hertha, but sadly it didn’t last long; Córdoba tested the Gladbach ‘keeper but it was the visitors who found the next goal. Pléa ran onto a lofted pass, unluckily knocked on by Maximilian Mittelstädt, and the striker kept his cool one on one against Schwolow to score the equaliser (27’). The Hertha shot-stopper kept out an effort from Lars Stindl soon after (30’). The side from Berlin kept pushing with Lukébakio missing the target with a pair of headers (33’, 35’). It was the visitors who went ahead, however. After Niklas Stark made contact with Marcus Thuram in the penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot. Stindl converted the penalty (38’) to give his side half-time lead.

Photo gallery: Pictures from Hertha BSC vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach

Córdoba hits a quick equaliser, further pressure goes without reward

The Hertha boss reacted swiftly with a triple change to start the second half. Deyovaisio Zeefuik, Mittelstädt and Lukébakio left the pitch with Marvin Plattenhardt, Nemanja Radonjić and Krzysztof Piątek entering the fray. The changes brought the desired outcome with the Old Lady finding a goal just four minutes into the half. Ascacíbar had a go from distance and the loose ball fell to Cunha. The Brazilian found Córdoba arriving in the middle, and the Colombian couldn’t miss (49’). The goal was initially chalked off for offside but eventually stood after a lengthy VAR check. Dárdai added more fresh legs to the mix, bringing on Sami Khedira as a replacement for Ascacíbar. The blue and white pressure grew with Guendouzi forcing a good save from Sippel (59’). The pace of the game dropped a little at that point, but  Dárdai’s men kept looking for a way forward. The hosts set the tone for the rest of the match, but couldn’t find a winner. Sippel denied Cunha (88’) and Córdoba headed over later on (90+1’). Hertha also had plenty of set pieces but failed to make them pay. In the end, both teams went home with a point, making it three matches unbeaten for Hertha.

Hertha BSC: Schwolow – Klünter, Stark, M. Dárdai – Zeefuik (46’ Radonjić), Ascacíbar (57’ Khedira), Guendouzi, Mittelstädt (46’ Plattenhardt) – Cunha – Lukébakio (46’ Piątek), Córdoba

Borussia Mönchengladbach: Sommer – Ginter, Zakaria, Bensebaini (77’ Herrmann) – Lainer, Kramer, Neuhaus, Wendt (17’ Sippel) – Stindl (60’ Lazaro), Pléa –  Thuram (77’ Embolo)

Goals: 1-0 Ascacíbar (23’), 1-1 Pléa (27’), 1-2 Stindl (penalty, 38’), 2-2 Córdoba (49’)

Yellow cards: Zeefuik, Mittelstädt – Zakaria

Red card: Sommer

Referee: Patrick Ittrich (Hamburg)

by Hertha BSC