Fast-paced game with two attacking teams
Darmstadt’s Aaron Seydel could have shot his team back to the top of the table in the sixth minute. However, the striker failed from six meters and narrowly missed the goal. Darmstadt made the game and had the better chances, but Nuremberg also played courageously in possession of the ball.
After 20 minutes, however, the “Club” defense was challenged again and was lucky to remain without a goal. After a corner kick, goalkeeper Christian Mathenia had to defuse a shot by Patric Pfeiffer with a strong reflex.
Shortly thereafter, however, Nuremberg had the greatest opportunity of the game. After a cross from Nikola Dovedan, Christopher Schindler headed the ball from six meters onto the crossbar (25′). Dovedan then did a little better just before half-time. After a free-kick from Johannes Geis, he headed Nuremberg into the lead (43′).
Pfeiffer scores, Nuremberg is still lucky
In the second half, Darmstadt started again with a lot of attacking urge, while Nuremberg became too passive – and that was punished. In the 58th minute, Pfeiffer scored the 1:1. The “club” was still well served with the goal. Because: If Pfeiffer hadn’t scored, Nuremberg’s Pascal Köpke would have been sent off for handball on the line and Darmstadt would have been awarded a penalty. So it was a draw, but the hosts continued to play in full.
A little later, Pfeiffer lacked accuracy for his second goal. After a low cross from Mathias Honsak, however, the striker shot wide of the goal from eleven meters (68th).
Slime despite the body size
Pfeiffer again played a decisive role in the third goal of the evening – but in a negative sense. After a corner kick in Nuremberg, the 1.96 meter giant lost a header duel against Lukas Schleimer, who was 18 centimeters smaller and put Nuremberg back in the lead (82′).
As a result, Darmstadt was no longer able to get dangerously in front of the opposing goal, instead Leipold scored an own goal with the final whistle to make it 1:3. The “Lilien”, who will meet table leaders Schalke 04 at 1.30 p.m. on Easter Sunday (17.04.2022), are fourth with 51 points. Nuremberg lurk behind them with 49 points and need a win against a promotion contender again at the same time at Werder Bremen on the next matchday.
Source: sho