Darmstadt 98 missed the leap to the top of the table in the 2nd Bundesliga. Coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s team lost 3-1 (0-1) at 1. FC Nürnberg and is fourth with 51 points behind Schalke 04, Werder Bremen (both 53) and FC St. Pauli (52).
Nikola Dovedan (43rd) gave the hosts the lead in front of 30,471 spectators, Luca Pfeiffer (58th) equalized. Lukas Schleimer (82nd) brought the Franks forward again, Andre Leipold (90th + 7) scored another own goal. With 49 points, Nuremberg kept its chance of promotion.
The encounter picked up speed immediately. Aaron Seydel (2nd) missed the great opportunity to give the guests an early lead from close range. After the stormy beginning of the lilies, a balanced encounter developed. Nürnberg became more active and were unlucky when Christopher Schindler (25th) headed the crossbar. Dovedan then headed in just before the break, 98 goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen didn’t look good.
Darmstadt increased the pressure in the second round. Marvin Mehlem (56th) aimed too imprecisely after a nice combination. Two minutes later, Pfeiffer equalized with his 13th goal of the season. Shortly thereafter, goalkeeper Schuhen left the pitch injured, but Darmstadt appeared unimpressed. Pfeiffer (67th) narrowly missed. On the other hand, Schleicher, who came on as a substitute, made it better.