Heracles frustrate Utrecht as hosts claim battling point | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Heracles and Utrecht drew 0-0. Ángel Alarcón forced Remko Pasveer into a flying save in the eighth minute after a headed chance from close range. After the restart, Vasilis Barkas kept the visitors level with a sharp stop from Sem Scheperman (74.), and moments earlier he had thwarted Lequincio Zeefuik's header (64.). Utrecht carried the greater threat with 16 attempts and 12 corners, but they managed only three efforts on target, the same as the hosts. Utrecht stay eighth and visit FC Twente next, while Heracles remain bottom and travel to AZ.

Player of the Match: Vasilis Barkas stood tallest, producing three saves including big second half stops from Sem Scheperman and Ajdin Hrustic to preserve the clean sheet.

Stat of the Match: Souffian El Karouani delivered six accurate crosses from 10 and made four key passes, the main supply line for Utrecht's pressure.

Three Things We Learned: Utrecht's left side was productive, with Souffian El Karouani creating two big chances and completing six accurate crosses. Heracles' rearguard held firm, making 24 clearances and winning 63.2% of their 19 tackles. Despite 16 attempts and 12 corners, Utrecht matched Heracles with only three shots on target, underscoring the hosts' box protection.