Motherwell 1-1 Hertha BSC By Callum McFadden at Fir Park.Hertha Berlin could only manage a draw against Scottish Premiership side Motherwell in their final pre-season match, as they prepare to face Sc...
Motherwell 1-1 Hertha BSC By Callum McFadden at Fir Park.
Hertha Berlin could only manage a draw against Scottish Premiership side Motherwell in their final pre-season match, as they prepare to face Schalke in the 2. Bundesliga season opener on August 1st.
It’s not every day that one of Germany’s most historic clubs visits Scotland as part of their pre-season preparations, so there was plenty of intrigue and a strong crowd inside Fir Park as Motherwell hosted Hertha Berlin.
The match started at a frantic pace, with both sides enjoying early possession. Hertha struck first in the 10th minute when captain Fabian Reese calmly converted a penalty, awarded after Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward brought down Jon Thorsteinsson as he closed in on goal.
As was often the case late last season, Tawanda Maswanhise was Motherwell’s most dangerous player, constantly driving at the Hertha defence whenever he got the chance.
However, as the first half progressed, Hertha began to dominate possession more comfortably, with former Bayern Munich and Marseille midfielder Michael Cuisance showcasing his quality both on and off the ball.
Just before halftime, Ward made an impressive save to deny Deyovaisio Zeefuik, who powered a header towards goal from a Reese corner.
The second half began at a slower tempo, and it took ten minutes for either team to create a clear chance. Again, Hertha were on the front foot, but Thorsteinsson squandered a great opportunity from close range after weaving into the box from the left wing.
Motherwell nearly equalised in the 71st minute when Maswanhise drilled a low cross across the Hertha box, but goalkeeper Tjark Ernst smothered it just before Apostolos Stamatelopoulos could get a touch.
The equaliser came soon after, though, as Stamatelopoulos fired home from close range following a well-placed cross by Callum Slattery.
Overall, Hertha will be frustrated to concede late after controlling possession for much of the match. Motherwell, meanwhile, can be pleased with both the result and their defensive resilience ahead of their SPFL opener against Rangers on August 2nd.
Motherwell: Ward (Oxborough, 60), Gordon, Slattery, Stamatelopoulos, Fadinger, McGinn, Maswanhise, Watt (Halliday, 71), Just (Said, 71), Koutroumbis, Longelo
Substitutes: Oxborough, O’Donnell, Halliday, Said.
Hertha BSC: Ernst, Eitschberger, Demme, Cuisance, Resse, Krattenmacher (Hildebrandt, 81), Thorsteinsson, Dardai, Karbownik (Berner, 71), Leistner, Zeefuik.
Category: General Sports
