2. Bundesliga leaders FC Ingolstadt remain unbeaten this season after playing out a 0-0 away draw with their closest pursuers Fortuna Düsseldorf on matchday 12. FCI are unbeaten in their last 16 games, and also haven’t lost any of their last 19 away matches. Meanwhile, Düsseldorf extended their unbeaten run to nine games, but still trail leaders Ingolstadt by five points.
It was an even encounter, with the visitors recording the first chance, but Lukas Hinterseer’s shot from distance in the 20th minute cleared the bar. Ingolstadt also had the first chance in the second half, however, Sergio Da Silva cleared Moritz Hartmann’s header off the line after Düsseldorf keeper Michael Rensing misjudged a corner. At the other end, Ramazan Özcan made a spectacular save to deny Jonathan Tah. In the end it was a deserved draw, as both teams put in rather passive performances.
Fürth secure victory in Berlin
SpVgg Greuther Fürth recorded a 1-0 away win against Union Berlin. Fürth are currently sixth with 18 points to their name, while Union dropped down into 12th place, having collected 13 points from their opening 12 games. Kacper Przybylko scored the only goal of the game just three minutes after kick-off, heading home from Marco Stiepermann’s free kick. Union were unwilling to give up, but just couldn’t seem to be able to break down Fürth’s defence. To make matters worse, Union’s Sören Brandy was sent off in second-half injury time for a reckless tackle.
Next setback for KSC
Karlsruher SC suffered another setback just three days after their surprising second-round exit from the DFB Cup (1-0 defeat to Kickers Offenbach), as SV Sandhausen held them to a 1-1 draw in Karlsruhe. Second-half substitute Manuel Torres put KSC in front in the 65th minute before Manuel Stiefler equalised eight minutes later.
Nürnberg and St. Pauli share the spoils
1. FC Nürnberg and FC St. Pauli continue to tread water following their 2-2 draw. Both teams are in the lower half of the standings instead of challenging for a promotion spot. It was an open game with plenty of highlights. Marc Rzatkowski put the visitors ahead in the first minute and Sebastian Maier nearly doubled Pauli’s lead two minutes later, but FCN keeper Patrick Rakovsky made an important save to keep his side in the game.
Nürnberg appeared shocked but Jakub Sylvestr managed to grab the equaliser in the 18th minute completely against the run of play. The hosts were now in control and looking to take the lead. Ironically, this time it was St. Pauli’s turn to score against the run of play, as Maier drilled a low shot past Rakovsky on the hour mark. Sylvestr then salvaged a late point for FCN, completing his brace in the 87th minute.
No winner in newcomer duel
1. FC Heidenheim and SV Darmstadt both celebrated promotion to the second division last May and the newcomers played out a 1-1 draw on matchday 12. Dominik Stroh-Engel bagged his seventh goal of the season to give Darmstadt a 1-0 lead after eight minutes in Heidenheim, but Smail Morabit levelled the scores in the 37th minute.
