Thanks to Robert Andrich, Bayer Leverkusen barely prevented their first away defeat. The 1-1 draw at Hertha BSC was still another setback.
Robert Andrich screamed his joy and let himself fall on the wet lawn in the Berlin Olympic Stadium. The clearer, who was once trained at Hertha BSC and then sorted out, saved Bayer Leverkusen at least 1: 1 (0: 1) in the capital in the 90th minute – for the ambitious Werkself it was still another setback.
“Hertha made it more man-like on the difficult ground,” said Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky DAZN-Microphone: “The international break comes at the right time, but 1: 1 is really good for morale.” Bayer coach Gerardo Seoane added: “The point feels really good under the current circumstances. We got into the game well, but the opponent defended cleverly. In the second half, more heart than structure was required. We are very happy with it the late draw. “
Three days after the glamorous European Cup win against Betis Sevilla (4: 0), Leverkusen was back in the league again. The point helps in the race for the Champions League places only to a limited extent: the Seoane team has not won four league games in a row.
Nobody at Hertha was satisfied. “In a game like this you have to make it 2-0 and then you go home the winner,” said coach Pal Dardai. Captain Niklas Stark spoke of a “shitty ball in the middle” that cost his team the victory.
Stevan Jovetic puts Hertha BSC in the lead
In front of 22,187 spectators, including national coach Hansi Flick, striker Stevan Jovetic had put Hertha in the lead with a remarkable action (42nd) and nourished hopes for the fifth win of the season.
Bayer had to do without his young star Florian Wirtz at short notice due to muscular problems in the hip flexor, the national player was replaced by Exequiel Palacios. At Hertha, captain Dedryck Boyata was missing a red card, and striker Krzysztof Piatek was surprisingly only on the bench for Jovetic.
The playful level of the game was limited due to the external conditions. On the slippery surface, the straddle was unpacked rather than the one-two.
And so it was no surprise that the first two chances by Jovetic (7th) and Palacios (10th) resulted from long-range shots. Bayer was in possession of the ball much more often and tried to build up the game nicely, but there was a lack of creativity.
Hertha was low, defended compactly – but did not hide. In a counterattack, Suat Serdar, who had previously vigorously captured the ball against Palacios, had a great chance of taking the lead (24th). Just before half-time, Jovetic did better when he skillfully took the ball in the penalty area and placed it in the goal with a fluid movement.
Hertha withdraws, but remains dangerous
Even after the break, the guests found it difficult to crack the Berlin defense network. There was a lack of penetration and deep runs. Hertha withdrew more, but remained dangerous when accelerating. Among other things, Jovetic had his second goal on his feet (55th).
Leverkusen showed themselves to be vulnerable in their defensive behavior, physically the team seemed to pay tribute to the double burden. Nevertheless, the Werkself forced Andrich to equalize according to a standard, who once said, looking back on his time at Hertha: “I only know the Olympic Stadium as a ball boy.” His résumé was upgraded on Sunday.
Hertha BSC – Bayer Leverkusen: The lineups
Hertha: Schwolow – Pekarik, Stark, M. Dardai, Plattenhardt – Ascacibar, S. Serdar, M. Richter, Darida, Mittelstädt – Jovetic
