2-2 draw against Hertha BSC

RB Leipzig and Hertha BSC share the points | A hotly contested match | Lukas Klostermann and Patrik Schick on the scoresheet for Leipzig | Marcel Halstenberg sent off

Draw against Hertha! In a hotly contested game, Hertha BSC and RB Leipzig share the points after a 2-2 draw. Leipzig had the lion's share of posession, but couldn't create enough chances.

Kevin Kampl, who has put in two good performances in recent weeks, dropped out of the starting line-up just before kick-off down to muscle problems. Tyler Adams was brought in to replace him. The American was instantly in the centre of procedings, as he and Marvin Plattenhardt accidentally clashed heads. The Berlin native had to be brought off later in the match. But not before he provided Hertha's opener with a pinpoint corner, which was turned in on the volley by Liverpool loanee Marko Grujic (9'). The Bulls needed a quick recovery, and reacted well. Lukas Klostermann headed home a well-taken Nkunku corner, and the Bulls were level (24'). Leipzig took charge of the game, and put the away side under near constant pressure. But it was the veteran Hertha player Vedad Ibisevic who had the best chance of the remainder of the first half, but his shot blazed over the bar. 1-1 at half time.

In the second half, the defence looked firm, and Hertha were limited to very few chances. Adams' dangerous low cross didn't find anybody in the box to convert (49') and Schick's attempted bicycle kick was unsuccessful (55'). The Czech did much better thirteen minutes later. His low driven shot from around 18 metres out was straight at Hertha 'keeper Rune Jarstein. However, the Norwegian fumbled the ball and it went over the line and into the back of the net - 2-1 to Leipzig (68'). Marcel Halstenberg had been sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on ex-Leipzig player Matheus Cunha (63'). Even with ten men, Leipzig looked solid and defended well to the last man. It looked like the win was in the bag, but it wasn't to be. Ademola Lookman brought Cunha down in the box, and the resulting penalty was converted by Krzysztof Piatek - 2-2 (81'). No further chances were had by either side, and the spoils were shared.

Line-ups

Highlights:

Focuson Hertha! After a hattrick against Mainz, Timo Werner will be hungry for more goals today.

At Werner's side: Patrik Schick. The Czech replaces the injured Yussuf Poulsen in the starting XI.

A minute's silence for the victims of coronavirus.

7' First chance for Leipzig! Konrad Laimer pops up in a little bit of space. The Austrian fires goalwards, but it's straight at Rune Jarstein.

9': Adams heads a Hertha cross behind for a corner...

... but it doesn't end well. Marko Grujic converts and the Bulls are a goal down. 0-1 (9')

15' Hertha combine well, and Vladimir Darida shoots from the edge of the box. The ball zips past the right-hand upright. Péter Gulácsi wasn't troubled.

24': Leipzig equalise! Another corner! Christopher Nkunku delivers towards the near post, where Lukas Klostermann made a good run. The Germany international's header is a good one and we are level! 1-1

29': RBL are on top but can't break through. Marcel Sabitzer's pass to Werner isn't an accurate one. The Leipzig goalgetter would've been through!

37': A good position for a freekick! Captain Sabitzer takes. The Austrian's shot is deflected off the wall and is dangerously close. Just wide!

40': Hertha causing more problems. The lightening-quick Dodi Lukebakio picks up some space and plays in Vedad Ibisevic. The veteran striker's shot is well over the bar. 1-1 at half time.