Hertha Berlin 1 Borussia Dortmund 1: Match Report
Borussia Dortmund came from behind to grab a point in the German capital against Hertha Berlin, who’ve prolonged a brilliant record at home to Dortmund, but both sides will feel they could’ve come away with more.
USA international Christian Pulisic returned to Dortmund’s starting XI after missing last week’s game against Wolfsburg through injury and showed exactly what an influence he has to the side.
However, top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued to miss out following interest from Premier League side Arsenal.
Dortmund coach Peter Stoger quashed rumours and says there is “nothing concrete” in reports linking striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a move away.
“There is nothing on the table, only hot air,” said Stoger.
“We’re planning with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and there’s a way back into the team for him.”
The first half started and it was the home side who started off the brighter with wide-men Mitchell Weiser and Marvin Plattenhardt both missing the target from 25-yard range efforts.
This was before Valentino Lazaro’s clever free-kick clipped the side-netting as the hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock in an evenly-contested first half.
The entertaining Lazaro’s cross was met by Davie Selke at the far post as he tucked in his fifth goal of the season in just the first minute of the second-half.
This goal for Selke beat the Germany u21 international goal tally from the entirety of last season with 5 this season, in comparison to just 4 for the whole of last season.
This early goal awoke Dortmund from their slumber and Pulisic fired in a shot which Thomas Kraft did well to turn behind.
Former Chelsea man Salomon Kalou thought he had furthered Hertha’s advantage, but Ondrej Duda wanted to assure the Ivorian’s shot had enough on it to cross the line, however, Duda was in an offside position.
It proved to be a costly mistake from Duda as Dortmund levelled with the inspired Jadon Sancho crossing for Kagawa to head in just a few minutes later.
Dortmund had a flurry of chances late on and could’ve snatched a late and perhaps undeserved winner for the guests, but they had to settle for their 2nd successive point.
Yesterday’s draw moved Stoger’s side up to third, 14 points behind leaders Bayern Munich. They now look forward to facing SC Freiburg at home next Saturday and hoping to pick up their first win in three.
Hosts Berlin now look on to facing Werder Bremen away after Friday night’s credible performance against a top side like Borussia Dortmund.
