10-men Leipzig held at home by Hertha Berlin

RB Leipzig missed the chance to climb to the second spot on the Bundesliga table on Wednesday nights as they drew 2-2 following a Krzysztof Piatek spot-kick in the dying minutes of the game.

Hertha Berlin’s Piatek, who joined the club from Italian side AC Milan early this year for €25m euros, scored his second goal of the season in eight matches after he scored from the penalty spot to grab a late equalizer in the 82nd minute.

The game started with a bright spark as on-loan Liverpool midfielder Marco Grujic scored a beautiful volley to put his side ahead, but that lead could  only last towards the end of the first half as Lukas Klostermann scored from a corner in the 24th minute

The worse moment came when Leipzig ex young forward Cunha was bought down in the 18-yard area by Marcel Halstenberg as he got his marching orders after a second yellow card for a foul on the same Cunha.

Piatek’s penalty made sure Hertha stretched their unbeaten run to three games. The late goal also spared the blunders of Hertha goalkeeper Jarstein when he parried the goal-bound effort of Patrick Schick as the ball came rolling off  his hands into the net to make it 2-1 in the 68th minute.

Piatek revealed in the post-game interview that he felt so good after scoring the goal as it was very vital for the team and him. He was happy he could get such an essential point for his team. “When the coach beckoned on me to warm up and replace Ibisevic, I felt this is the time to show the coach how bad I want to play out there. I’m not happy when I’m not playing”

Asked about the abilities of veteran striker Vedad Ibisevic, he replied that he is aware the 35 year old is in a tremendous form, but he hopes he can get more playing time under his belt.

Hertha’s draw at home jeeps them this on the log with Dortmund still maintaining the second position after their loss at home to Bayern Munich who is seven points clear at the top as they look set to win their 8th league title.

Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi