Borussia play out 1-1 draw with Hertha

Borussia Mönchengladbach drew 1-1 with Hertha Berlin on matchday 11 in the Bundesliga, with Breel Embolo’s equaliser securing a point for the Foals.

Neither side really took the initiative in the first half at BORUSSIA-PARK, with most of the game being played in the midfield. Tobi Sippel – making his first Bundesliga appearance since February 2018 – had to rush out a couple of times to deal with some Hertha long balls, but was otherwise untested. Alexander Schwolow made the only notable save of the half, and he had to get a strong palm to a thunderous strike from Hannes Wolf to keep the scores level.

The second 45 had a very different feel to it, brought about by a very early goal for Hertha. Denis Zakaria was dispossessed on the edge of the box and Mattéo Guendouzi was able to curl a shot past the helpless Sippel (47’). Borussia now had to up their game if they wanted to deliver a response and the chances soon started to come. Florian Neuhaus’ through ball put Patrick Herrmann through and he lifted the ball over the on-rushing Schwolow, only for Dedryck Boyata to clear it off the line. Marco Rose turned to his bench with half an hour to go, bringing on Marcus Thuram and Alassane Plea, but it was the forward who was already on the pitch, Breel Embolo, who ultimately grabbed the deserved equaliser. Neuhaus’ cleverly disguised ball to the back post was headed across goal by Matthias Ginter, and Embolo forced it into the back of the net (70’). The Foals had the momentum and looked the more likely to nick a winner, but the visitors from Berlin battled hard to ensure the game finished level.

TEAM NEWS

Head coach Marco Rose rotated heavily against Hertha, with six changes made to the side that started against Real Madrid on Wednesday night. Tobias Sippel, Valentino Lazaro, Denis Zakaria, Ibrahima Traoré, Hannes Wolf and Patrick Herrmann all came into the starting line-up, with Yann Sommer, Stefan Lainer, Christoph Kramer, Marcus Thuram, Lars Stindl and Alassane Plea dropping out. Breel Embolo wore the captain’s armband for the first time as a Foal.

Sommer’s absence in goal was due to a minor adductor problem. He joined Jonas Hofmann (thigh) and Ramy Bensebaini (coronavirus) on the injury list.

MATCH FACTS

Borussia: Sippel – Lazaro, Ginter, Elvedi, Wendt (64’ Lainer) – Zakaria, Neuhaus (84’ Bénes) – Herrmann (64’ Plea), Wolf (84’ Stindl), Traoré (64’ Thuram) – Embolo

Hertha BSC: Schwolow – Pekarik, Boyata, Torunarigha, Plattenhardt – Darida (75’ Tousart), Stark, Guendouzi – Lukebakio (75’ Leckie), Piatek (85’ Redan), Dilrosun (75’ Ngankam)

Goals: 0-1 Guendouzi (47’), 1-1 Embolo (70’)

Yellow cards: Wendt, Lazaro, Neuhaus / Pekarik, Guendouzi

Referee: Robert Hartmann (Wangen)

Attendance: 0