Adi Hütter's men were the better side for the most part, even if they struggled to click into top gear at the Commerzbank-Arena, and while they created a handful of presentable chances, the Eagles also had goalkeeper Kevin Trapp to thank for the point.
Personnel: Milestone for returning Hinteregger
Hütter made four changes to the side that drew 1-1 with VfL Wolfsburg last week: Gelson Fernandes returned to midfield following a one-match ban, fit-again Martin Hinteregger came back into to the defence to make his 100th Bundesliga appearance, while Ante Rebic and Jonathan de Guzman also started. Lucas Torro, Simon Falette and Goncalo Paciencia all began on the bench as a result, with Mijat Gacinovic absent due to a muscular complaint.
First half: No way through
Heavy rain made for difficult conditions at the Commerzbank-Arena and both teams took a while to adjust to the slippery surface. Eintracht had the first opportunity of the game when Luka Jovic's flick found Rebic, whose shot from a tight angle was saved. Rebic was involved again just after the half-hour mark, first drawing an excellent save from Rene Jarstein from close range, before teeing up de Guzman, who volleyed over from ten yards out. While Eintracht were on top overall, Hertha did have a couple of promising chances of their own. Trapp saved Ondrej Duda's shot from the edge of the box and breathed a sigh of relief when Vedad Ibsevic headed wide when unmarked at the back post.
Second half:
The Eagles struggled to find their rhythm in the second half, and could not exert the kind of relentless pressure fans have grown accustomed to seeing this season. Nevertheless, they still carved out a couple more opportunities, the best of which fell to de Guzman midway through the half, but Jarstein blocked his first effort, while his second attempt flew over. Trapp was called into action again late on to deny Per Skjelbred one-on-one and when Hertha's Lukas Klünter was sent off for a second bookable offence in the closing stages it looked like momentum might swing Eintracht's way. Hertha closed ranks, however, leaving both teams to settle for a point in the goalless stalemate.
Summary: A day to forget
This was by no means a vintage Eintracht performance, but they could still have won with a touch more ruthlessness in front of goal. It could also easily have gone the other way but for Trapp's heroics, so a draw is still a satisfactory result - and one that keeps the Eagles on course for a top-four finish.
SGE line-up:
Trapp – Abraham, Hasebe, Hinteregger – da Costa, Rode (Willems 62'), Fernandes (Torro 46'), De Guzman (Paciencia 77'), Kostic – Rebic, Jovic
