Hard-fought draw in the derby
Head coach Pál Dárdai made two enforced changes from the 3-0 win over Leverkusen prior to the international break. Goalkeeper Rune Jarstein tested positive for coronavirus and is now in quarantine, therefore ceding his place to Alexander Schwolow. Jordan Torunarigha lined up ahead of Schwolli, replacing Márton Dárdai (knee problem). Dedryck Boyata was ruled out at short notice with a thigh muscle injury.
Union take the lead and hit the bar - Torunarigha heads over
The new-look defence was put under plenty of pressure early on. Max Kruse tested Schwolow (7’) before the ‘keeper was left helpless to keep out Robert Andrich’s shot from distance, which touched the post on it’s way into the back of the net (9’). The hosts had the chance to double the lead soon after, with Julian Ryerson clattering the bar (12’). The blue-and-whites got themselves into the game after that, creating the first chances of their own. Matheus Cunha saw a free-kick hit the wall and deflect wide (18’) before Torunarigha nodded over the bar from a corner (19’). It was a hard-fought and even derby after that, with Hertha enjoying a slight advantage. After a nice pass from Lucas Tousart, Mattéo Guendouzi was fouled by Marvin Friedrich in the box (32’). The referee Stegemann pointed straight to the spot. Dodi Lukébakio took responsibility for the team and converted a great penalty to level the game at 1-1 (35’). The closing stages of the first half saw both teams cancelling one another out and there were to be no more clear-cut chances before half-time.
Defensively sound but no bite to the attack
Neither side made any changes to start the second half. The intensity carried over from the opening half, but it took a while for there to be any real chances on goal. Tousart got on the end of a nicely played out counter-attack, but missed the target (58'). Dárdai then reacted with his first change, bringing on Santiago Ascacíbar for Lukébakio (62'). The Argentine shored up Hertha's midfield and impressed by winning several challenges. Birthday boy Sami Khedira was then brought on in the 79th minute to play alongside Ascacíbar. The duo kept their opponents at bay, but were unable to break through themselves. A solid defensive performance from the Blue-White backline in the second half saw the game end in a hard-fought draw (1-1). The result means that Hertha are now unbeaten in their last three Berlin derbies.
1. FC Union: Luthe – Friedrich, Knoche, N. Schlotterbeck – Trimmel, Prömel (74’ Ingvartsen), Andrich, Gentner, Ryerson – Musa (83’ Pohjanpalo), Kruse
Hertha BSC: Schwolow – Klünter, Stark, Torunarigha – Zeefuik, Tousart, Guendouzi (79’ Khedira), Mittelstädt – Cunha – Lukébakio (61’ Ascacíbar), Córdoba (90+1’ Piątek)
Goals: 1-0 Andrich (10’), 1-1 Lukébakio (35’ pen.)
Yellow cards: Ryerson, Prömel – Guendouzi, Tousart, Torunarigha, Ascacíbar
Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Niederkassel)