Even a wonderful free-kick goal by Kerem Demirbay didn't help Bayer Leverkusen out of the earnings crisis.

At Hertha BSC, the Werkself did not get more than 2-2 (0-0) on Saturday and are stuck in the bottom of the table with four points.

The difficult situation has hardly improved for coach Gerardo Seoane - and Atlético Madrid come to the BayArena in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Demirbay's (49th minute) goal, which is well worth seeing, was quickly equalized by Suat Serdar (55th).

After Marco Richter's (74th) wonderful goal from a good 25 meters to put Berlin's Hertha ahead, Patrik Schick (79th) equalized again for Bayer in an entertaining game.

The Berliners missed their first home win of the season in front of 40,643 spectators in the Olympic Stadium, but continued their consolidation course with five points.

The next task is piquant for coach Sandro Schwarz.

On Friday he goes to his former club Mainz 05.

Brave Hertha at the beginning

Hands tucked deep in his pockets, Seoane stood in his coaching zone midway through the first half.

His facial expression suggested he might have bitten into a lemon.

A miracle healing in Berlin was not in sight.

Despite four changes in the starting XI, Bayer played like a team that desperately needs a sense of achievement and yet doesn't dare.

Hertha was braver, stronger in tackles, just wanted the ball more and also had the first chance.

Dodi Lukebakio (4th minute) headed over the goal.

When Lucas Tousart (19th) shot from a tight angle, Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky was fast enough in the near corner.

Individual performances in Leverkusen

There was little to be seen of the Werkself offensive that had been announced and which Hertha coach Schwarz had described as a great danger.

The possibilities arose from individual achievements.

Patrick Schick (11th) and Adam Hlozek (26th) failed because of the brilliant Oliver Christensen in the goal of the Berliners.

In the stands, Hertha manager Fredi Bobic looked in disbelief when Wilfriede Kanga (37th) was a bit surprised after a positioning mistake by Jonathan Tah, but hit the post completely free.

Both Bobic and Seoane should have been impressed by Demirbay's artful shot in the corner.

Bayer needed such an action.

Now it was Schwarz who looked miserable.

Hertha was once again chasing a deficit.

Shooting one like this has not yet been possible this season.

Against Bayer, however, the Berliners only needed six minutes.

Then Serdar completed a counterattack via Kanga and Chidera Ejuke to equalize.

With his second goal after his return from cancer, Richter even raised hopes of a home win for the first time.

Schick destroyed her with his equalizer.