A share of the spoils against Frankfurt
Sandro Schwarz made four changes to his starting eleven in his first coaching appearance at the Olympiastadion. Maximilian Mittelstädt replaced Marvin Plattenhardt at leftback, who missed out due to muscular problems, as did attacker Myziane Maolida. Lucas Tousart replaced Prince Boateng in midfield, as well as captaining the side for the first time. Up front both Chidera Ejuke and Wilfried Kanga made their Bundesliga debuts, replacing Davie Selke and Myziane. Tjark Ernst made the Hertha bench for the first time, with Derry Scherhant on the bench for the first time in the Bundesliga.
Brilliant tifo and a start to match
In front of a brilliant atmosphere, encapsulated by an amazing tifo in the stands prior to the start of the game, Hertha got off to the perfect start. Lukébakio’s floated cross from the right wing was met brilliantly by the onrushing Suat Serdar, who headed powerfully into the far corner (3’). Lucas Alario almost responded immediately, but fired wide, and was in an offside position in any case (7‘). All in all it was an engaging opening to the match, with Ejuke and Kanga in particular regularly causing Frankfurt problems. Serdar also offered a threat, having a long range effort comfortably saved in the end by Kevin Trapp (20’). The players brought into the team then combined well to almost further Hertha’s lead. Kempf did well to win the ball, before finding Mittelstädt, who found Kanga with a precise cross along the deck, but the striker was only able to turn it over the bar from close range (23’). Despite having a greater share of the possession and making a higher number of passes, Frankfurt were unable to make a breakthrough against Hertha’s well-organised and fired-up defence. The score remained 1-1 going into half-time.
Kamada equalises early – chances on both sides
As in the first half there was a goal after only three minutes, this time going to the visitors. After Filip Uremović gave the ball away, Randal Kolo Muani ran into space before squaring to Daichi Kamada to tap home (48’). The game opened up, with chances on both sides. Lukébakio did well to make it into the box, but could only shoot straight at Trapp from a tight angle, before Kolo Muani put his shot just past the post at the other end (55’). Schwarz made changes to freshen up the attack, bringing on both new signing Jean-Paul Boëtius and Derry Scherhant for his Bundesliga debut (57’). The end to end nature of the game continued, as Lukébakio shot twice from the edge of the box (61’,62’), while for Frankfurt, Kamada’s effort sailed over the crossbar after being well picked out at the top of the box (63’). Schwarz added impetus up top in the final period of the game by bringing on Jovetić for Kanga (70’). The Montenegrin almost made an immediate impact, running through one-on-one after a chipped pass from Lukébakio, but fired wide to the left of Trapp’s goal (72’). Frankfurt had the next chance through substitute Faride Alidou, who shot from a tight angle but missed the target (78’). Hertha looked certain to score moments later as Kenny cut the ball back to Serdar inside the box. The midfielders’ goal-bound effort was unluckily blocked by Jovetić as he looked to take evasive action (83’). At the other end, referee Frank Willenborg gave a penalty for a foul on Rafael Borré by Oliver Christensen (89’). After a long look at the incident by VAR, it was overturned (90+2’). The game finished in a draw after an exciting second period.
Hertha BSC: Christensen – Kenny, Uremović (83‘ Dárdai), Kempf, Mittelstädt – Šunjić (57‘ Boëtius), Serdar, Tousart (C) – Ejuke (57’ Scherhant), Kanga (70’ Jovetić), Lukébakio
Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp (C) – Ndicka, Tuta, Touré (73‘ Hasebe) – Lenz, Sow, Kamada (86‘ Jakić), Knauff (46’ Alidou) – Götze (66‘ Lindstrøm), Alario (66’ Borré), Kolo Muani
Goals: 1-0 Serdar (3‘), 1-1 Kamada (48‘)
Referee: Frank Willenborg
Yellow cards: Mittelstädt, Šunjić – Sow
Attendance: 44,694