Hertha BSC managed to come from behind to get a point against Hannover 96, drawing 2-2 at the Olympiastadion. This ensures that the capital club will be in the final Champions League spot for at least another week. For Hannover, though, they remain in the bottom despite picking up a solitary point.
His side started out the better of the two and scored in the fourth minute through Vedad Ibisevic. But then, Hannover drew level 14 minutes later after Artur Sobiech found the back of the net. It looked as if Hannover were going to take the full points from this match. But then, Salomon Kalou did what he does best and leveled the occasion late in the night.
Both score early first half goals
Hertha BSC broke the deadlock early in just the fourth minute of the match. Marvin Plattenhardt broke up the pitch down the left flank getting behind Hannover's defense. Plattenhardt then hit a low cross that Vedad Ibisevic and got his right boot on the ball. He proceeded to chip it over a helpless Ron-Robert Zieler.
The visitors though, almost pegged Hertha back straight away. Uffe Bech had a ball played back to him in the middle of the box and lined up a shot. His effort though got saved in some fashion by Rune Jarstein as he tipped it up and over the crossbar. Off the ensuing corner, Manuel Schmiedebach's shot hit the right post.
Hannover's pressure paid off as they did find that equalizing goal in the 18th minute. They built this goal up with some nice passing with Hiroshi Kiyotake being the main architect. He played a nice one-two with Schmiedebach with the latter playing Kiyotake with a back heel. The Japanese international then slipped through Artur Sobiech who finished it with class.
Subs make big impact
With both sides looking for that second goal, the match became open and more chances occurred. And 13 minutes after the restart, Hannover found their second goal of the match. Kenan Karaman made an instant impact off the bench. He chased down a ball near the touchline inside the eighteen yard box. He immediately played a ball back towards the middle of the area. Schmiedebach made no mistake with his finish this time, bouncing his shot off the right post.
Hertha know what's at stake in this match as other clubs are chasing that final Champions League spot. Julien Schieber, who has not played football in sometime, came on to replace Cigerci. He found space down the left side of the penalty box and whipped in a low cross to the opposite post. Salomon Kalou was waiting at that post, but took a poor first touch. The Ivorian gathered himself and was able to beat Zieler at the near post, leveling the match at two.
There are just a few matches remaining this season, but Hertha have a couple of big ones coming up. After next week's meeting with Hoffenheim, Hertha play Borussia Dortmund in the Pokal semi-finals. But then, they have to switch gears immediately, as they take on Bayern Munich in the league. Hannover meanwhile, take on Borussia Mönchengladbach next weekend.