BERLIN: Hertha Berlin came from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw with visiting Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday and stretch their unbeaten run to four matches despite internal club turmoil.

Andrej Kramaric, making his 200th Bundesliga appearance, put Hoffenheim in front after 25 minutes with his 10th goal in 13 league matches against Hertha. The Croat has not scored more often against any other team.

Hertha’s high pressing tactics, however, paid off 10 minutes later with Dodi Lukebakio completing a move after Hoffenheim lost possession.

In an entertaining second half, both teams carved out chances but Hoffenheim’s Christoph Baumgartner should have done better when he fired wide of the post in the 74th after a fine move by the visitors.

Ahead of the game Hertha fans voiced their opposition to major club investor Lars Windhorst’s involvement as a dispute over a past club election campaign escalates.

Hoffenheim had the chance to leapfrog Borussia Dortmund into the top four with a win but now finish the weekend in fifth.

In Sunday’s late game, Augsburg found a winner away at Schalke 04 after going down to ten men.

Augsburg raced out to a 2-0 lead after 21 minutes with two goals to Ermedin Demirovic but Schalke’s Simon Terrode pulled one back in the 33rd minute, before Tom Krauss equalised with just under 30 minutes still to play.

Mergim Berisha was given a second yellow card for a stray elbow, reducing the visitors to ten men seven minutes later but Augsburg’s Andre Hahn cut through the building Schalke pressure in the 77th minute, rising to head in a cross from Robert Gumny to give his side their fourth win of the season.

Schalke finish the round in 15th, having won only one game this season after being promoted from the second division.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2022