Bochum draws 1-1 to stretch Hertha Berlin's winless run

BERLIN (AP) — Hertha Berlin’s bid for a fresh start after the international break ended in disappointment as Bochum fought back to draw 1-1 in the Bundesliga on Friday.

Ishak Belfodil’s early goal for Hertha was canceled by former Union Berlin forward Sebastian Polter after the break, stretching the home team’s wait for its first win in 2022. Hertha has failed to win in five games across all competitions this year.

The draw left Hertha just four points above the relegation zone ahead of the rest of the 21st round.

Bochum stayed two points above Hertha in 11th place.

After making four winter signings to shake up the squad, Hertha was hoping for more from its first game since announcing that sporting director Arne Friedrich will leave at the end of the season.

Former Stuttgart defender Marc Oliver Kempf started for his Hertha debut in central defense beside Niklas Stark. Lee Dong-jun came on in the 59th for the South Korean’s Bundesliga debut, and Norwegian defender Fredrik André Björkan in the 75th for his.

Hertha dominated the first half and Bochum drastically improved for the second.

Hertha’s goal, when it came in the 23rd, was a simple one. Stevan Jovetić floated in a free kick from the left and Belfodil rose highest to head the ball beyond helpless Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann.

But Polter equalized on a rebound in the 48th when Alexander Schwolow could only parry Jürgen Locadia’s shot.

Neither team could force a winner in the heavy rain.

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Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP