Cologne 0-0 Hertha Berlin

In search of a first win at the RheinEnergieStadion since 29 February 2020 and without victory in their last five, Cologne made a spirited start. Marius Wolf - who spent the previous campaign on loan at Hertha - set a new speed record for the current season of 39.42 kmph, but his purposeful forays in the early stages did not translate into meaningful chances. Hertha fared marginally better in the final third as Krzysztof Piatek stung the palms of Timo Horn, before Peter Pekarik sent a fierce effort over from 18 yards. Wolf placed a header from a corner wide, but the most promising opening fell the way of Cologne captain Jonas Hector, who skewed agonisingly wide with the last kick of a keenly contested first half.

Wolf was heavily involved in Cologne's best work after the restart, albeit without seriously testing Alexander Schwolow in the Hertha goal. The introduction of Matheus Cunha - Hertha's six-goal top scorer this term - shifted the initiative back the way of the visitors as the clock ticked past the hour. The Brazilian put a golden chance on a plate for Piatek, but the Poland international could not find the target with only Horn to beat. Arsenal loanee Matteo Guendouzi took the game by the horns with a fierce effort beaten away by Horn, before bending a shot off the woodwork. Hertha's inability to make more of a promising four-on-one in added time summed up the collective misfortune of both sides.

KOE Cologne Cologne - BSC Hertha Hertha Berlin

Cologne's lean spell continues with Hertha draw