Magdeburg drops points: Only 1:1 in Berlin

1. FC Magdeburg dropped three potentially crucial points in the race for a relegation place. In front of 62,057 spectators at Hertha BSC on Friday evening, the team from the Elbe city could not get past 1:1 (1:1). Lubambo Musonda (44') had put FCM ahead, Linus Gechter (45+2) equalized before the break. With 50 points, FCM remain third for the time being, but could be overtaken on Saturday.

"With our chance conversion, we clearly have to win the game," criticized coach Christian Titz after the match. "The foul in stoppage time was clumsy and we got the equalizer. In terms of feeling, we lost 1:1, but we still played well," he said.

Compared to the win against Regensburg, Titz made three changes: Baris Atik and Daniel Heber returned to the starting eleven, with Musonda starting on the wing for Bryan Teixeira. The game began with good opportunities for Hertha: First Fabian Reese was well positioned in the box (1st), then the Berlin goal scorer aimed wide of the box (2nd).

Exciting start to the game

At the other end, Marcus Mathisen (5) headed wide of the target from a free-kick. Livan Burcu was then blocked and Atik's ball was held by Berlin goalkeeper Tjark Ernst (6). Magdeburg then took control and had further chances to score, but Martijn Kaars (16, blocked) and Xavier Amaechi (16, saved) failed to score. Magdeburg were rewarded with the opening goal shortly before the break: Atik played a clever pass to Musonda, who scored from 15 meters. But Hertha equalized out of nowhere in stoppage time.

Berlin were only slightly more active after the break, Marten Winkler failed to put the ball on target after Michael Cuisance's cross (47'). Magdeburg now had to pay tribute to the high tempo before the break, but still retained control of the game. The Berliners were mainly dangerous from set-pieces, but FCM allowed little from open play.

Magdeburg failing to take their chances

The Elbe club, on the other hand, were guilty of failing to take their chances - Atik, for example, put a shot from a few meters out wide of the goal (67'). With the introduction of Florian Niederlechner, Hertha became more dangerous without scoring a hundred percent. As the game progressed, FCM had to watch out for the Berliners' counter-attacks, but at least managed to hold on to the draw.

FCM failed to capitalize on their great superiority in the first 45 minutes and must have been annoyed to have dropped two points. Magdeburg will be looking to do better against Münster next Friday.