Icon: enlarge
A balanced duel: Berlin's Omar Alderete Fernandez (left) against Leon Bailey
Photo: Lars Baron / Getty Images
Bayer Leverkusen have to be content with one point in the Bundesliga.
With the 0-0 (0-0) against Hertha BSC, Peter Bosz's team missed second place in the table behind Bayern Munich, but overtook Borussia Dortmund - and is now third.
The Berliners stagnate in 13th place.
In addition to the long-term failures of Paulinho, Santiago Arias and Exequiel Palacios, the hosts were also missing Sven Bender, Edmond Tapsoba and Charles Aránguiz.
The first half was an extremely uneventful one.
Bayer struggled against disciplined Berliners, the only two Leverkusen chances came from long-range shots.
First it was Kerem Demirbay from around 30 meters (33rd minute), shortly afterwards Leon Bailey tried it in a slightly right position (35th).
Hertha goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow fought off decisively in each case.
Even after the restart, the encounter was characterized by tactical restraint.
Demirbay's free kick, which went just over it, marked the home team's first approach to goal after 67 minutes of play.
Also in the final phase there were no offensive actions worth seeing.
Hertha did not shoot Lukáš Hrádecký's goal once in the entire second half.
In the four-minute stoppage time, Lars Bender had the best chance of the game (92nd). After a free kick, the Bayer captain was free to head, but put it just to the right of the goal.
Leverkusen missed their sixth win in a row, but remains unbeaten in the Bundesliga.
Icon: The mirror
mas
