A solitary, albeit stunning, stellar strike from Alessandro Schöpf seemed to be enough for Nürnberg against a toothless FSV Frankfurt side. However, Zlatko Dedic scored a penalty in the final minute to earn a share of the spoils.

Frustrating half for the hosts

It was a tough beginning to the game for both sides. Neither looked particularly keen to moving forward with any great pace or drive, and FSV were especially happy to keep the ball moving around the back four. When the hosts did make their first real moves forward, Danny Blum wasted a great opportunity by tamely heading at André Weis.

That promise quickly turned to concern, as René Weiler's goalkeeping woes worsened. Raphael Schäfer picked up a fairly innocuous injury but it quickly became apparent that he would not be able to continue. Patrick Rakovsky, now third choice stopper, had to replace him before the 20 minute mark.

The young goalkeeper was almost beaten just minutes after coming onto the pitch. A knock-down from Dani Schahin fell kindly for Zlatko Dedic, though his shot zipped just past the post. The home side issued an immediate response with a well-worked move on the left flank as the ball was centred for Guido Burgstaller. The Austrian, like Dedic, could only drag his shot wide of the mark.

Nürnberg were much more menacing in the first-half and they had two great chances to go into the break with a lead. First, Blum was played through on goal only to be denied by Weis. The smart stop looped up into the air and hit the post, but Enis Haji Safi was on had to hook the ball out of the net. Oddly, it was not spotted and the goal was not goal was given. The clearance came as far as Kevin Möhwald and his powerful strike was turned away by Florian Ballas.

Second period is an end-to-end affair

Neither team made any personnel alterations at the break, although the visitors came out with much more purpose after the restart. A corner wasn't dealt with at all well by the home defence and after two goal-line clearances, Haji Safi's third attempt at goal produced a stunning block from Burgstaller, who was more than happy to do his bit defensively.

The second half was much more entertaining than the first after just 10 minutes, and Nürnberg continued to look dangerous going forward. Miso Brecko had an excellent opportunity to open his account for the Frankenstadion outfit, only for Weis to deny him with a smart save. Moments later and Blum was in behind the defence again, and his volley went narrowly over the crossbar.

A goal was coming, it was merely a matter of who would go ahead. It would be the home fans that were celebrating just before the hour mark. A lovely piece of play between Burgstaller and Alessandro Schöpf saw the latter benefit from a one-two, as he danced past two defenders before smashing into the bottom corner.

With Blum off the field, Burgstaller could move into the centre and he shot just wide of the far post on the angle. FSV had a free-kick which was easilly held by Tomas Oral, before he rolled the dice for the first and final time. His triple substitution looked to try and spark his attack into life, only for Burgstaller to rattle the post immediately afterwards.

Only for Weis' superb goalkeeping, it could have been a huge scoreline in favour of the hosts and a few more stellar saves kept them in with a shout of making a late comeback. That chance came in the final minute, when Frankfurt were handed a debatable penalty. Dedic stepped up and scored, giving his side a point that they didn't really deserve and leaving Weiler's men fuming at the goal that wasn't given.

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About the author
Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]