Berlin, Berlin, we're going to Berlin! For Borussia Dortmund, a trip to Berlin is always a special occasion. However, the last three outings to the capital were nothing to write home about...

In December 2014 BVB slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Hertha, and last summer's 3-1 loss to VfL Wolfsburg in the DFB Cup final proved to be one step too far. At least this time they managed a 0-0 draw against the third-placed Berliners.

The result saw the Black and Yellows maintain their lead over their closest challengers with ten points continuing to separate them from Hertha BSC. It was a statement of intent to qualify for next season's Champions League, with 13 points separating Borussia from fifth place in the table - a position whose occupants will not make it into Europe's elite club competition.

"In light of how the match went, the result is reasonable"

"We can live with the 0-0 draw, even though I'm not especially pleased with it," concluded Julian Weigl. “It wasn’t our best match. But when you can’t win, a draw is the minimum requirement,” said Matthias Ginter. BVB captain Mats Hummels was not entirely dissatisfied with the draw: “In light of how the match went, the result is reasonable - because we didn't produce a top performance. We cannot put in top performances for each of our 17 matches though."

Indeed, it was not a top performance. BVB never really got into their rhythm on the tricky playing surface in the capital. Their passing game was sufficient, but lacked the speed and purpose we have come to expect. Goal-scoring opportunities were in short supply. The best chances to break the deadlock were squandered by Hertha, with John Anthony Brooks’ header sailing over the crossbar in the 21st minute and Salomon Kalou unable to convert following a late counter.

Thomas Tuchel said: “It should not be an excuse or an alibi but the pitch was in an extremely poor condition. It does not make playing football matches easy or fun. It also makes it tough to turn each time you go forward."

First time BVB fail to score all season

The pitch was not exclusively to blame, however. After a difficult first half in which BVB struggled to get behind a spirited Hertha defence, the Black and Yellows improved and started to dictate the play. “We had quite a few good chances. Ultimately it was a mixture of a lack of confidence and form on the day,” analysed Tuchel, whose team failed to find the back of the net for the first time in a match this season.

But by the time Tuesday's DFB Cup quarter-final away to VfB Stuttgart comes around, the BVB goal machine should be up and running again. Hopes will once more be pinned on the shoulders of Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored 20 times in the league and twice in two games in the cup – breaking the deadlock on each occasion. Aubameyang gave BVB the lead in Chemnitz and Augsburg, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan scoring the second and final goal in both matches. More of the same is the aim on Tuesday as BVB look to take another step towards Berlin...

Felix Ulrich