Hertha BSC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen fought an exciting duel in the Bundesliga. Neither of them managed to liberate themselves: The game of the 6th matchday ended 2-2 (0-0) on Saturday (September 10th, 2022) in front of 40,643 spectators in the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
The Werkself got off to a good start after losing two competitive games in a row. Bayer coach Gerardo Seoane’s side appeared dangerously in front of the Hertha goal in the eleventh minute: After a cross from Kerem Demirbay, Patrik Schick failed to head a brilliant move from Berlin keeper Oliver Christensen (11′). Christensen was also able to defuse a powerful direct acceptance by Leverkusen’s Adam Hložek from eleven meters (27′).
Berlin with aggressive pressing
Berlin was more aggressive in the duels, put the guests under pressure with early pressing and also had good chances: Wilfried Kanga hit the post after a cross from Lukebakio from close range (37th). On the other hand, a Demirbay shot from the six-yard box went well over the Hertha goal (41′).
Demirbay scores from a free kick
After the break, things continued happily: a supposed goal from Berlin’s Suat Serdar was disallowed for being offside (47′). But then the guests from the Rhineland scored the first regular goal of the game: Demirbay circled a free kick from 18 meters to Bayer’s lead at the top right into Toreck in Berlin (49′).
Compensation by Serdar
The hosts were not unsettled by this: After Leverkusen lost the ball, Berlin countered and released Serdar through Kanga and Chidera Ejuke in the penalty area, and the 25-year-old shot ice-coldly from ten meters to equalize (56th).
As a result, Leverkusen gradually increased the pressure. In the 64th minute, Bayer striker Patrik Schick got a free-standing shot in front of Hertha keeper Christensen, but his shot rolled just wide of the left post.
Berlin hits by Richter, Bayer by Schick
Instead, the Berliners scored: Substitute Marco Richter, who had recently returned after suffering from testicular cancer, shot the Bayer goal from more than 20 meters up on the left (74th).
However, Leverkusen equalized six minutes later: After assists from Robert Andrich and Sardar Azmoun, Schick got the ball in the penalty area; The Czech now used his third big chance of the game by inserting through the legs of Hertha keeper Christensen (80th).
Discussion on Kossounou Handball
In a confusing situation in the penalty area, the guests were lucky a little later when Bayer defender Odilon Kossounou jumped the ball on the arm. Referee Benjamin Brand did not point to the penalty spot, and even after a VAR check, the handball was not considered a punishable offense (83rd).
In the wild final phase, no more goals were scored, it stayed at 2:2. Both teams are still in the bottom half of the table, Leverkusen with four and Hertha with five points.
Leverkusen initially required in the Champions League
Leverkusen initially fight for points in the Champions League. On Tuesday they host Atletico Madrid for the second day of the group stage (9:00 p.m.). In the Bundesliga, the Werkself host SV Werder Bremen on Matchday 7 (Saturday, 17/09/2022 at 3:30 p.m.). Hertha has to play at FSV Mainz 05 a day earlier (8:30 p.m.).