Pointless evening in Franconia

With over 80 percent possession of the ball, the early stages of the game at 1.FC Nürnberg clearly went to the Lilies. After just nine minutes, the Darmstadt team used a nice combination and Fraser Hornby scored from close to the penalty spot to take the lead, but the goal did not count due to Philipp Förster being in a very slight offside position in advance. After around 20 minutes, the hosts got into the game a little better and managed to keep the ball in their own ranks for a longer period of time for the first time.

From this point on, the game became much more balanced and the hosts also got their first goal, but Lubach headed the ball into the side netting on the 19th minute. Eight minutes later, Lubach tried again, this time his shot flew past the goal on the right. Just a minute later, Oscar Vilhelmsson appeared in the penalty area, but hesitated for a moment too long and was prevented from finishing.

In the final phase the game turned in the hosts‘ favour, but the resulting shots did not initially pose any real threat. In stoppage time, the SVD almost took the lead: Knoche cleared the ball at Hornby and the ball bounced just past the post and so we went into the break without any goals.

After the break, Marcel Schuhen had his first opportunity to excel: After a long ball, Emreli moved into the middle, but was then denied by a strong reflex from the Lilien keeper. Afterwards, the South Hesse team got more control of the game again and repeatedly played their way into the home team’s penalty area. However, it was rarely really dangerous.

Just under a quarter of an hour before the end of the game, substitute Merveille Papela had an opportunity with his head: after a corner from Sergio López, his attempt flew just past the far post. Ten minutes later there was a chance at the other end, but Schuhen was there again and parried Tzimas‘ shot from close range. A minute later, Schuhen had no chance and Drexler scored to make it 1-0 for the home team. Fynn Lakenmacher almost found the perfect answer, but his overhead kick flew just wide of the post with 3 minutes remaining. Even after that, the Lilies continued to try to force a goal, but in the end they had to accept the narrow defeat.