Pro Sports

Hertha Berlin scores late to hold Leipzig 2-2 in Bundesliga

Posted May 27, 2020 7:00 am

BY CIARÃN FAHEY

Berlin's Krzysztof Piatek, left, scores his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and Hertha BSC at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The German Bundesliga is the world's first major soccer league to resume after a two-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Alexander Hassenstein/Pool via AP) The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) - Leipzig missed the chance to move second in the Bundesliga after visiting Hertha Berlin scored a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.

The home side was leading 2-1 despite being down to 10 men - and ahead of Borussia Dortmund on goal difference - until Krzysztof Piatek's 82-minute penalty ensured Hertha stayed unbeaten in three games under new coach Bruno Labbadia. Leipzig remained third, two points behind second-place Dortmund.

The game was played amid the Bundesliga's tight controls against the coronavirus with no fans present to reduce the risk of contributing to the outbreak. The league was only given permission to resume on May 16 after promising to enforce strict measures against the virus through the end of the season. The sight of substitutes and non-playing team officials wearing face masks, and balls and seats being disinfected, has become commonplace in the league during the three rounds since it resumed.

Hertha's Marvin Plattenhardt went off early after a clash of heads with Tyler Adams, but not before setting up Marko Grujic with a corner for the opening goal in the ninth minute. Plattenhardt, who appeared to have problems with his vision, went off in the 11th.

Lukas Klostermann equalized in the 24th, also from a corner but the home side was dealt a blow in the 63rd, when Marcel Halstenberg was sent off with his second booking.

However, a mistake from Hertha goalkeeper Rune Jarstein gifted Patrik Schick a goal five minutes later.

Labbadia made his remaining four substitutions before Ademola Lookman brought down Matheus Cunha for what was a clear penalty in the 81st. Piatek stepped up for the equalizer from the spot.

SCHALKE'S SLIDE CONTINUES

Schalke lost 2-1 at struggling Fortuna DÃ¼sseldorf, putting increased pressure on coach David Wagner. It was Schalke's third loss in three games since the Bundesliga resumed and its stretches the side's run without a league win to 10 games.

Schalke dropped to ninth, five points below Wolfsburg in the last place for European qualification.

Hoffenheim defeated Cologne 3-1 in a turbulent game with both teams finishing with 10 men and Cologne forward Mark Uth missing a penalty for the second successive game.

Also, Union Berlin held on with 10 men to draw 1-1 against visiting Mainz, and Augsburg drew 0-0 with last-place Paderborn.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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CiarÃ¡n Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP

Berlin's Krzysztof Piatek, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and Hertha BSC at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The German Bundesliga is the world's first major soccer league to resume after a two-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Alexander Hassenstein/Pool via AP) The Associated Press

Berlin coach Bruno Labbadia reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and Hertha BSC at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The German Bundesliga is the world's first major soccer league to resume after a two-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Alexander Hassenstein/Pool via AP) The Associated Press

Leipzig's Timo Werner, right, and Leipzig's Dedryck Boyata challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and Hertha BSC at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The German Bundesliga is the world's first major soccer league to resume after a two-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Alexander Hassenstein/Pool via AP) The Associated Press

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