Bundesliga: Krzysztof Piatek’s late penalty helps Hertha Berlin draw 2-2 against RB Leipzig; Dusseldorf beat Schalke 2-1

Berlin: RB Leipzig missed the chance to move second in the Bundesliga after visiting Hertha Berlin scored a late equaliser 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-placed 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 16 May 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 minute.

Lukas Klostermann equalised 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 equaliser from the spot.

Schalke's slide continues 

Schalke lost 2-1 against struggling Fortuna Dusseldorf, putting increased pressure on coach David Wagner. It was Schalke’s third loss in three games since the Bundesliga resumed and it stretched the side’s run without a league win to 10 games.

Schalke dropped to ninth, five points below VfL 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 Paderborn.

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