Draw against Freiburg
Sandro Schwarz made two changes to the side who drew against TSG Hoffenheim last weekend. Agustín Rogel made his debut last week, and moved into the starting eleven in the place of Filip Uremović, who missed out due to a bruised foot. Stevan Jovetić came in to start his first game of the season, with Wilfried Kanga dropping to the bench. Peter Pekarík celebrated a return to the squad.
Hertha equalise via the penalty spot
The opening stages of the game was marked by caution on both sides. Hertha had real bite in their challenges and won the ball back a number of times without really making use of the regained possession. This changed in the 14th minute, as Dodi Lukébakio collected the ball from Suat Serdar after he had won the ball in midfield and ran at the Freiburg defence. Hertha’s number 14 shot from the edge of the box but his effort sailed wide. The next opportunity went to the visitors, but Michael Gregoritsch could only cross into the side netting when well placed (15’). Five minutes later it was unfortunately a different story. A long ball found Ritsu Dōan who laid it off to Kyereh to finish from close range (22’).
Freiburg taking the lead did not upset Hertha's rhythm in attack. Marvin Plattenhardt fired a freekick into the near post, where Stevan Jovetić met the ball, but his flick could only find the side netting (27’). Hertha continued attacking and moments later Lukébakio broke in the direction of the Freiburg box. His attempted pass to Jovetić was blocked by the hand of Christian Günter. Referee Robert Schröder did not need long to make his mind up and he pointed to the spot. Lukébakio stepped up to confidently convert into the bottom left-hand corner (32’). After this, Hertha were the more proactive team, and pressed for a second goal. Ejuke receive the ball after a through ball from Lukébakio and went round Freiburg goalkeeper Marc Flekken but his shot could only find the side netting (38’). Efforts from both Jonjoe Kenny (42’) and birthday boy Ivan Šunjić (45’) also failed to put Hertha in the lead. The teams went into half time with a goal apiece.
Serdar puts Hertha into the lead, Freiburg find a late equaliser
Hertha made a lively start to the second half but could not find the all important final pass. The first attempt of the second half came from Jovetić, who unsuccessfully attempted to lob the keeper, with Flekken well off his line (50’). The team continued to be on top and looked to make the most of this dominance. Marco Richter, who had been subbed on moments before combined with Suat Serdar, who dribbled towards the Freiburg defence and fired home from the edge of the box into the bottom left-hand corner – a deserved lead (61’)!
As the second half approached the halfway mark, more and more of the action was taking place in Hertha’s half. The Blue-Whites stayed competitive in challenges and were constantly on the look-out for the next opportunity to spring a counter attack. Freiburg managed to find an equaliser out of nothing (78’). After a freekick, Christensen was unable to properly collect the ball and subsequently the ball feel to substitute Kevin Schade who scored from close range. Hertha continued to try to find a winner, but both a freekick from Platte (85’) and an attempt from Richter (86’) failed to put Hertha back in the lead. Like last week, the game once again ended in a draw. Hertha are now unbeaten in five consecutive games. On Saturday (15.10.22, 18:30 CEST), is the next opportunity to win three points against RB Leipzig.
Hertha BSC: Christensen – Kenny, Rogel, Kempf, Plattenhardt (C) – Šunjić, Serdar (84’ Boateng), Tousart – Ejuke (58’ Richter), Jovetić (77’ Selke), Lukébakio
SC Freiburg: Flekken – Sildillia, Ginter, Lienhart, Günter (C) – Eggestein, Höfler, Diaby, Dōan (85’ Höler), Kyereh, Grifo (70’ Schade) – Gregoritsch (70’ Petersen)
Goals: 0-1 Kyereh (22’), 1-1 Lukébakio (34’), 2-1 Serdar (61’), 2-2 Schade (78’)
Referee: Robert Schröder
Yellow cards: Rogel, Kenny – Dōan
Attendance: 40,481