RB Leipzig miss chance to go second in Bundesliga after Hertha draw

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Players in action during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin in Leipzig, Germany, May 27, 2020. /VCG

RB Leipzig's faint title hopes faded further as they fought out a 2-2 home draw with Hertha Berlin after conceding a late equalizer from the penalty spot, having been reduced to 10 men in a see-saw Bundesliga encounter on Wednesday.

The result left Leipzig third on 55 points from 28 games, nine behind leaders Bayern Munich and two adrift of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, while Hertha moved up one place to 10th on 35 points.

The visitors took a 10th-minute lead through Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic, on loan from Premier League Liverpool, before Lukas Klostermann leveled in the 24th and Marcel Halstenberg was dismissed in the 63rd for a second yellow card.

Patrik Schick netted a bizarre goal five minutes later, following a goalkeeping error, but Leipzig could not hold on as substitute Krzysztof Piatek earned a share of the spoils for the visitors with an 82nd-minute penalty.

Like all other Bundesliga matches, the clash was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Grujic drew loud cheers from his teammates when he volleyed home a Marvin Plattenhardt corner from seven meters.

Players wear masks on the bench during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin in Leipzig, Germany, May 27, 2020. /VCG

Klostermann leveled with a superb header as he ghosted away from his markers at the near post and met a Christopher Nkunku corner before Vedad Ibisevic skied his shot high and wide into the empty stands at the other end.

With Halstenberg dismissed for a second bookable foul, Schick gave Leipzig the lead thanks to a howler by Hertha keeper Rune Jarstein, who appeared to have smothered the Czech's shot but the ball trickled out of his arms and over the line.

Hertha had the last laugh, however, as Matheus Cunha was fouled by Ademola Lookman and Poland striker Piatek sent home keeper Peter Gulacsi the wrong way with a perfect spot-kick.

Elsewhere, Schalke's winless run stretched to ten games as their free fall down the table continued with a 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Fortuna Duesseldorf.

Cologne were reduced to 10 men when Belgian defender Sebastian Bornauw was shown a straight red for fouling Baumgartner, who set up defender Steven Zuber to leave Hoffenheim 3-0 up early in the second half.

Bottom side Paderborn earned a point in a goalless draw at Augsburg, while mid-table Union Berlin drew 1-1 with Mainz in the capital.

(With input from agencies)