Paul Jaeckel (top) of FC Union Berlin celebrates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Union Berlin in Stuttgart, Germany, Oct. 9, 2022. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Freiburg came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Hertha Berlin while Union Berlin remain atop the Bundesliga standings after edging struggling Stuttgart on Sunday.
Hertha and Freiburg staged a balanced opening period with chances at both ends of the pitch, as Berlin's Dodi Lukebakio pulled wide from the edge of the box in the 14th minute while Freiburg's Michael Gregoritsch headed over four minutes later.
Freiburg eventually opened the scoring as Daniel-Kofi Kyereh scored in his third straight match after tapping home a Ritsu Doan cutback with 22 minutes gone.
Hertha remained unfazed and answered in the 34th minute after Lukebakio converted a penalty to level the scores against the run of the play.
The hosts gained momentum and should have taken the lead before halftime but Chidera Ejuke, Stevan Jovetic and Ivan Sunjic missed promising chances.
Hertha kept the pressure up after the restart and got rewarded at the hour mark as Suat Serdar unleashed a hammer to make it 2-1.
Hertha looked set for their first win at home this season, but were stunned in the 78th minute when Kevin Schade benefitted from a moment of madness from Hertha goalkeeper Oliver Christensen to clinch a late 2-2 draw.
"I am satisfied with the point. It feels good because it was a complicated game. I think it is a deserved 2-2 draw," said Freiburg assistant coach Lars Vossler.
"It is annoying that we didn't keep the three points after such a performance," said Hertha Berlin head coach Sandro Schwarz.
Elsewhere, Union Berlin stay top of the Bundesliga after overpowering winless Stuttgart thanks to Paul Jaeckel's second-half header.
Ramy Bensebaini's brace helped Borussia Monchengladbach take a 5-2 victory over ten-man Cologne in the Rhine derby. ■
Jamie Leweling (bottom) of FC Union Berlin vies with Konstantinos Mavropanos of VfB Stuttgart during their German first division Bundesliga football match in Stuttgart, Germany, Oct. 9, 2022. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Niko Giesselmann (L) of FC Union Berlin shoots during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Union Berlin in Stuttgart, Germany, Oct. 9, 2022. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Rani Khedira (L) of FC Union Berlin vies with Atakan Karazor of VfB Stuttgart during their German first division Bundesliga football match in Stuttgart, Germany, Oct. 9, 2022. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Rani Khedira (R) of FC Union Berlin vies with Atakan Karazor of VfB Stuttgart during their German first division Bundesliga football match in Stuttgart, Germany, Oct. 9, 2022. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
