Bundesliga on Friday
Hertha continues the upward trend with a draw in Mainz
Berlin’s Jean-Paul Boetius (l) is stopped by Mainz’s Dominik Kohr. photo
© Thomas Frey/dpa
Hertha BSC has continued its upward trend in the Bundesliga. The Berlin capital club fought a 1-1 (1-0) draw at 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Friday evening.
Hertha BSC has continued its upward trend in the Bundesliga. The Berlin capital club fought a 1-1 (1-0) draw at 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Friday evening.
Frenchman Lucas Tousart had put the Berliners ahead at the start of the 7th matchday with a header in the 30th minute. Anthony Caci (90+4) prevented Berlin’s second win of the season with his goal.
Hertha, who have picked up five points from the last three games, are a little clear of the relegation zone. Mainz remained without a win in the third home game of the season and missed the temporary jump to third place in the table.
At Hertha, Suat Serdar had to pass due to illness, and former Mainz professional Jean-Paul Boetius played in midfield for him. At Mainz, Edimilson Fernandes and Jae-sung Lee replaced the absent Alexander Hack (suspended) and Jonathan Burkardt (injured). The Dutchman Delano Burgzorg, who could have been considered as a possible replacement for Burkardt, was not in the squad for “disciplinary reasons”, as 05 coach Bo Svensson revealed before kick-off, without wanting to go into detail: “It stays internal.”
Both teams initially refrained from taking the big risk, safety passes in midfield shaped the picture. Marc Oliver Kempf was able to block the ball at the last moment when Mainz striker Karim Onisiwo (9th) had the first shot. Hertha’s central defender twisted his ankle and had to be replaced at half-time.
The Hertha team didn’t hide, but instead sought their way onto the offensive with their fast attacking trio of Dodi Lukebakio, Wilfried Kanga and Chidera Ejuke. This was rewarded with the opening goal – thanks to the strong help of the opponent: Maxim Leitsch from Mainz played the ball in front of Ejuke’s feet when he tried to clear the ball, and he was allowed to cross unhindered, and nobody in the center felt responsible for the goalscorer Tousart.
With the lead behind them, the guests kept the pressure on, the eye-catching Ejuke had the 2-0 on the foot in the 41st minute. But 05 goalkeeper Robin Zentner reacted strongly. The Mainz team then acted hectically and incorrectly. Burkardt, who came to the stadium on crutches to watch, was missing as a passing station and combination player.
After the change of sides, Hertha was lucky that, according to the video images, referee Frank Willenborg gave Marvin Plattenhardt a yellow card. The captain had stepped on Fernandes’ right ankle in an unfortunate action with the open sole.
Mainz increased the pressure as the game went on – but most of the attacks weren’t really dangerous. There was hardly any relief from Hertha forward. That was punished in the end.