Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rescued a point for Borussia Dortmund on matchday 7 of the Bundesliga against Hertha BSC. Aubameyang initially had a penalty saved, but then scored the equaliser to ensure that BVB avoided their first home league defeat in a year and a half. The Gabonese striker netted the equaliser in the 81st minute to make it 1-1, after his penalty was saved just six minutes earlier.
Valentin Stocker put the compact and well-organised Hertha side 1-0 up in the 51st minute. The result means that Hertha remain ahead of Borussia Dortmund in second place in the Bundesliga table, while BVB have now extended their unbeaten home league record to 25 games. Dortmund starlet Emre Mor was given a red card in the 84th minute, before goalscorer Stocker was also dismissed in the 90th minute.
Young starting eleven for BVB
In front of 80,800 spectators, Thomas Tuchel was forced into fielding one of the youngest Dortmund sides in years. Four players were 20 years old or younger, with the central defence being a particularly injury stricken area. This inevitably affected the flow of the play. The home side’s normal enterprising style of football was nowhere to be seen against the a Hertha side, who were perfectly in sync. Aubameyang missed the best Dortmund chances when he hit the post in the 67th minute and then missed the 76th minute penalty.
It was only really down the right hand side that the home side found some joy. Pulisic down the right found an unmarked Mor in the box, but his left-footed volley went over (7’). Hertha, however, were happy to stay patient. When they did win back the ball, they went forward quickly and looked dangerous on the counter.
Alexander Esswein missed a good chance (16’), when his effort went just over Roman Bürki’s goal. Dortmund, on the other hand, were combining well with each other, but also making mistakes in the final third. They rarely threatened in the Hertha penalty box.
Stocker scores, Aubameyang equalises
Vedad Ibisevic beautifully unlocked the home side’s defence for the game’s opening goal. His back heel put Stocker through one-on-one, who duly tucked the ball way past Roman Bürki, to make it 1-0 to the away side.
With Hertha now in the lead, it was always going to be difficult for them to hang on. Hertha’s defence was being put under an increasing amount of pressure. It was pure luck that Aubameyang was unable to find the net with his chip. Borussia then managed to get their equaliser.
