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Berlin Derby Ends in Stalemate

Berlin derby

The Berlin derby between Union and Hertha ended all square the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Union took an early lead but Hertha levelled from the penalty spot ten minutes before half time.

The result leaves Union just four points behind Borussia Dortmund in fifth while Hertha are just two points clear of Köln in 16th.

Berlin Derby Ends All Square

Plenty of First Half Action

Union have made a habit of finding the net early this season, having scored 11 times in the opening 15 minutes of games, and the hosts made a bright start. Grischa Prömel forced Alexander Schwolow into an early save, but there was an offside in the buildup. Moments later, Max Kruse saw a 20-yard effort tipped wide.

However, the hosts took a deserved lead within the opening ten minutes of the game. The ball fell to Robert Andrich – a former Hertha youth player – on the edge of the box and he drilled it in off the post.

Union should have been two goals up shortly after. First, Julian Ryerson struck the bar with a curling effort before Petar Musa fired the rebound over.

At the other end, Hertha also struck the bar through Jordan Torunarigha’s header, but it was the closest the visitors came in the opening half an hour.

There was a moment of controversy shortly after when Matteo Guendouzi was awarded a yellow card for a foul on Prömel, who was also booked, despite a flailing arm towards the Union man.

Musa’s miss would prove costly when Guendouzi turned Marvin Friedrich inside the box and won his side a penalty. Dodi Lukebakio sent Andreas Luthe the wrong way from 12 yards.

Musa struck a powerful header wide as half time approached, with the Berlin derby all square.

Hertha Came For a Draw

The second half showed that Hertha were more than happy to head home across the capital with a point. Die Alte Dame played a lot deeper after the restart and struggled to get out of their own box. In fact, their goal was the only one of four shots on target in the whole game.

Not only did Hertha sit deep and try and defend, but a point in their current circumstances will be a good result.

The second glad provided a lot more fouls and free kicks, halting the pace of the game each time that Union started to gain dominance on proceedings.

Union on Top But Not Enough in Front of Goal

As has been the case a few times this season, Union’s quality in front of goal has failed them. While Urs Fischer’s side may have only had three attempts on target, a total of 13 shots highlighted their dominance.

During the first half, it worked. Union created space and opened up the Hertha defence. However, after the restart, the visitors placed more men behind the ball and Die Eisernen ran out of ideas.

Despite the result, Union are now on an ever-growing club record 13 home league games without defeat, and the reality of European qualification becomes closer as the weeks go on.

Main Photo

Embed from Getty Images

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