Late heartbreak: Our first draw of the season
Pál Dárdai made three changes from the side he selected to start the game away at Hoffenheim. Márton Dárdai came in for the suspended Dedryck Boyata, whilst the fit-again Marvin Plattenhardt returned on the left and Stevan Jovetić started up front. Krzysztof Piątek dropped to the bench, and Deyovaisio Zeefuik was not in the squad. Florian Wirtz was not present for Bayer 04 due to a hip flexor issue.
Hertha start well – Jovetić wondergoal ends the half
Jovetić created the first shot on target, his long-range effort failing to trouble Lukas Hrádecký in the Bayer 04 goal (7’). Robert Andrich – best known for his time across the city in Köpenick – shot wide from long range for the away side’s first chance (9’). Shortly afterwards, the midfielder was involved again, but his effort was collected by Alexander Schwolow (11’). The next opportunities in this lively game came the way of Hertha: Marco Richter’s solo run and shot tested Hrádecký (13’), before Suat Serdar’s deflected effort landed on the roof of the net (15’). The game was intense, especially on the difficult playing surface. Our number 8 created the best chance of the game so far himself – some high pressure won him the ball back, and his shot from the angle was parried away by Hrádecký (24’). Bayer 04 then went up the other end and put the ball in the home-side’s net, but it didn’t count, as the ball went out of play before Andrich fired it home (26’). The tackles were flying in, and you couldn’t take your eyes off the game, when, three minutes before half time, the deadlock was broken. And how: Maxi Mittelstädt won an aerial battle with two opponents, finding Jovetić with his header, who took one touch and fired the ball into the top corner – what a goal! Half time, and Hertha are good value for being 1-0 up
A lively game continues – Late Andrich equaliser
After the break Gerardo Seoane’s side came out with a point to prove, but our lads held their own against them and frustrated them. Everything was going to plan, and Jovetić could have doubled the advantage following a wonderful pass from Niklas Stark, but the striker decided to volley at goal instead of taking a touch, and shot well wide (55’). The Blue-Whites didn’t solely rely on counter attacks either, having more of the game around the hour mark. The lively Richter missed with his effort, before Jovetić also went close (63’, 68’). The Europa League side created their first chances of note back-to-back, as Schwolow twice saved well from Kerem Demirbay efforts (70’, 71’). Then came some substitutions from Pál Dárdai: Jovetić was replaced by Davie Selke (73’), before Lucas Tousart and Prince Boateng came in for the hardworking Santiago Ascacíbar and Darida (80’). Shortly afterwards, Serdar shot over from the edge of the box and Boateng sliced an effort wide (82’, 84’). Despite these missed chances, Hertha’s fifth win of the season looked to be safe, but Andrich bundled a free kick over the line in the 90th minute to break Blue-White hearts. Despite the performance, Hertha go into the international break with a first draw of the season – next up is the Berlin derby against FC Union, on November 20th (18:30 CET).
Hertha BSC: Schwolow; Pekarík, Stark (C), Dárdai, Plattenhardt; Ascacíbar (Tousart 80’), Serdar; Richter (Jastrzembski 88’), Darida (Prince 80’), Mittelstädt (Ekkelenkamp 88’); Jovetić (Selke 73‘)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Hrádecký (C); Hincapié (Sinkgraven 61'), Tah, Tapsoba, Frimpong (Kossounou 86’); Palacios (Amiri 61’), Andrich; Paulinho (Bravo 79‘), Demirbay, Diaby; Adli (Sertdemir 86’)
Goals: 1-0 Jovetić (42’), 1-1 Andrich (90’)
Referee: Robert Hartmann
Yellow Cards: Darida; Palacios, Demirbay
Attendance: 22,187