After two games without a win, Hertha BSC failed to move closer to the promotion ranks on matchday 17 of the 2nd Bundesliga. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, the Berliners gave up their narrow lead against Arminia Bielefeld and in the end had to be content with the 1-1 (0-0).
It was Stefano Russo who turned the long-fought second division duel in the capital into a draw in the 95th minute with his first goal for Arminia. Please for Hertha BSC: Shortly before the equalizer, defense chief Toni Leistner was sent off with a red card after an emergency stop. Paul Seguin gave the home team a 1-0 lead in the 67th minute.
Outnumbered, the guests from East Westphalia fought for the important away point in an entertaining final phase. Russo’s goal was the last action of the game, meaning Hertha missed the 30-point mark before the subsequent winter break.
“I think in the end it was pure emotions,” Bielefeld coach Mitch Kniat described the final phase to the Sportschau. “We wanted the equalizer the whole time and would have made it 2-1 if it had taken a little longer.”
Hertha coach Stefan Leitl particularly struggled with Leitner’s sending off shortly before the end. “I’m angry at the way the victory was snatched from our hands,” he told Sportschau after the game. “It’s a lucky point for Bielefeld and the referee team is partly responsible.”
The game started well for Hertha. Hertha BSC’s Linus Gechter opened the game with a beautiful solo run (6th) across half the pitch. The shot missed the goal by just a few meters and Michal Karbownik (10th) also let the guests defend “generously”. However, the Pole missed the right moment to finish on the edge of the box, so a promising chance was wasted. It wasn’t until the 20th minute that Arminia appeared dangerous in front of the Berlin goal for the first time, but Noah Sarenren Bazee didn’t hit the ball properly after Corboz’s preparatory work.
Schuler blocks the lead for Hertha
Things then became really dangerous on the other side thanks to Fabian Reese (27th). The captain asserted himself strongly on the left side and drove the ball to the opponent’s baseline. However, Luca Schuler unfortunately missed the cross from eight meters. Almost in return, the guests had their best chance. Schuler made a bad pass in the build-up and the ball ended up at Sarenren Bazee via a station. The striker’s finish was too out of place for Tjark Ernst.
The short-term bad pass festival continued in the Bielefeld penalty area in the 39th minute. Maximilian Großer brought a ball past Reese in his own penalty area, but the 28-year-old was unable to accept the gift and was denied by goalkeeper Jonas Kersken. After the half-time break, both teams started with more offensive drive and put each other under pressure early on. But a dangerous scoring opportunity was a long time coming.
Karbownik as an invigorating element in the Berlin offensive
It only became dangerous when Karbownik (63′) put Michael Cuisance, who was completely alone, with a precise pass. The Bielefeld defense managed to prevent the Frenchman from finishing freely in time. Paul Seguin did better in the 67th minute. Karbownik won the ball in his own half and sent Marten Winkler on the right. The 23-year-old fed Seguin on the edge of the penalty area, from where the midfielder flicked the ball smoothly into the left corner.
Kersken prevented the score from falling behind seven minutes later. Reese fought for the ball against Felix Hagmann and crossed dangerously into the Bielefeld penalty area. The Arminen goalkeeper saved in great distress from Dawid Kownacki, who was ready to take a shot. The guests then launched the final offensive, first Leon Schneider (78th) tested Ernst from around 30 meters, then the hosts weakened themselves.
Russo shocks Hertha in stoppage time
Defense chief Leistner (85th) saw the red card after an emergency stop against Isaiah Young. The referee Jarno Wienefeld’s decision was entirely justifiable, even if it was a tough decision. The guests started again in the majority and rewarded themselves late for a committed away performance. Großer was unable to control a cross from Kersken at the penalty spot, but Russo took advantage of the involuntary assist and curled the ball into the right corner. Hertha has been waiting for a win for three games and Arminia was able to celebrate a last-minute point.
Hertha against Schalke, Bielefeld against Düsseldorf
After the winter break, Hertha welcomes FC Schalke on Saturday evening (8.30 p.m.). Bielefeld will be guests at Fortuna Düsseldorf on Friday evening (6.30 p.m.).