This game was always going to be a big one.  Two teams at the top of the table and on good form.  The scoreline does not do the game justice I feel as Hertha showed a real will to fight for that point and on the whole played well in my opinion.

The first twenty five minutes had both teams fairly evenly matched but that came to an end when the Braunschweig captain, Dennis Kruppke, blasted one past Kraft who was left with no chance.  During this time Peter Niemeyer picked up a completely crazy yellow card for a totally needless tackle.  I think this is his fifth so he'll miss the Ingolstadt game next week if I am correct!

Hertha however did not roll over.  They continued to fight and kept organised.  In the past they may have lost their focus after a disappointment like that but not today.  They went in at half time still only one goal down and everything to play for.

Whatever Jos Luhukay said in the dressing room had a good effect.  In the second half Hertha came out and they were really going for it!  They were aggressive and really fighting to get that all important goal. Luck however was not going Hertha's way.  Luhukay took off Schulz (who had not had a bad game) and brought on a striker in the form of Wagner.  However a sea of yellow shirts in the Braunschweig penalty area meant we just couldn't get through.  Then in the 78th minute, Ramos struck with a towering header into the Braunschweig net.

Hertha did not sit back and just "take the point" they really went for it!  Ben Sahar came on with just two minutes to go but was unable to make the difference in that short period of time.  On another day they could easily have taken all the points but sadly, not on this one.  A one all draw was perhaps a fair result but Hertha could have . . . 

The real winner at the top of the table this weekend is Energie Cottbus who, with their three points closed in a little on the leaders.

Next week we are facing FC Ingolstadt in Berlin.  I am really looking forward to this match with Ingolstadt resting in 5th place, just three points behind us.  I hope it's not too cold or wet in the Olympiastadion.  Current forecast is for 9 degrees but dry but hey, we'll be going even if there's a blizzard! 

On Saturday the 27th of October Hertha visit Braunschweig in what could be the biggest match of the season so far. Braunschweig are currently 5 points clear after the first ten matches. A win for the old lady could really make a season of it!

Perhaps the most telling fact is the goal differences of the two teams Braunschweig +15 and Hertha "only" +8. Most telling of all Braunschweig have only conceded 3 goals in over 900 minutes of football! Hertha on the other hand have let in 10 - one per game on average.

A three all goalfest between Köln and Kaiserlautern on Friday sets the scene for the weekend. This is supported by a win for Energie Cottbus brings them to 21 points alongside Hertha and Kaiserlautern separated only by goal difference. Could it be more tense???

If we could just get the three points in this game it would be down to just two points and Ingolstadt to play next week. Who knows then, perhaps, the tide may turn on Braunschweig's season and Hertha could come to the fore . .

If not, we are back in the pack with a key match against FC Ingolstadt in Spieltag 12 . . . .

Still worried about . . everything really . .

This is a big week for both Chelsea and Hertha with both teams having important games ahead of them this week.

The Blues playing way in the Ukraine on Tuesady against Shaktar Donetsk defending their Champions League title and then at home against Man. Utd on the weekend. No pressure then!

Hertha are playing away against Braunschweig in the 2. Bundesliga on Saturday - fighting it out for that number one spot.

This could be their toughest match so far with Braunschweig being unbeaten, so far this season. They've played 10, won 8 and drawn 2 - riding high!

Hertha however have won their last two and haven't lost since the 12th of August so they must be gaining vital confidence.

Well, we got rid of all the bad luck in Donetsk (Chelsea lost 2:1) so I'm hoping Lady Luck will be on the side of the "Old Lady" in Braunschweig Ha Ho He!

Still worried about all of those injuries in defence though . . . .

This week saw WCQ matches for both England and Germany.  I was going to watch England play Poland in Warsaw and keep an eye on Germany.  The heavy rain and the strange decision not to close the roof of the national stadium soon knocked that idea on the head!

I have to say listen to the ITV crew – Adrian Childs et al flannelling for couple of hours was probably more entertaining than the match that was replayed whilst I was at work the next day!

I did manage to watch the Germany v Sweden match being played in the magnificent Olympiastadion.  Well, the first sixty minutes went to plan with a doppelpack for Klose, one for Ozil and even one for Mertesacker!  Then it all went to hell in a handcart!  Six minutes later Sweden score two goals in two minutes and Germany fell apart to end up with a 4:4 draw.  I can’t help thinking they are in dire need of a sports psychologist to get their heads straight when things don’t go to plan.

Anyway, the international break is over and Bundesliga 2. kicks off again on with Hertha playing VfL Bochum.  Bochum have 9 points from 9 games so they are not having too much fun this season so far.  Having said this we still have injury problems in our defence but then we did when we played 1860 and . . . . .

Before that match I tweeted away about being worried about defensive weaknesses and mourning the loss through injury of players like Franz.  So this time I’m going to say I’m REALLY worried about it . . . .

All that worrying worked!! The game finished 0:2 to Hertha with goals from Kluge and Ndjeng. A missed penalty by Wagner in the last minute was a shame but the overall result was a good one.

A clean sheet for the defence, so far . . .

Went to the in-laws to watch the Chelsea Champions League match against the Danish side - Nordsjaelland

The result looked impressive for the Blues in that they ended up winning 4:0 but the scoreline doesn't truly reflect the match. For much of the game Nordsjaelland went toe to toe with Chelsea

At times it felt like watching Hertha - worried about that breakaway goal that sinks your hopes!

In the end the fame was wrapped up by three goals in the last ten minutes from Luiz, a second from Mara and the last from Ramires.

The comment from Roberto di Matteo in the post match interview when asked about the amazing free kick from Luizwas a classic - "It's about time"!!