Lots of show and passion, few highlights, divided points: In an emotional Franconian derby, 1. FC Nürnberg and SpVgg Greuther Fürth separated in a draw. The 271st duel between the arch-rivals ended on Friday evening with a 1-1 (1-1), which did not help either team significantly in the 2nd Bundesliga. The “Club” missed the jump into the top third of the table, while the Fürth team managed to break free in the bottom half of the rankings after two recent defeats.
Defender Damian Michalski had already given Fürth the lead with a header in the 8th minute. Can Uzun equalized with a penalty kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the first half. “It was a highly emotional and highly intense derby with a fair draw,” summed up Fürth coach Alexander Zorniger on Sky. His Nuremberg colleague Cristian Fiél agreed: “In the end it’ll be okay.”
In front of a magnificent backdrop, impressive fan choreographies and a total of 47,000 spectators in the sold-out Max Morlock Stadium, the guests from Fürth got into the game better and took the lead early on: defender Michalski scored on his starting debut from a corner. It took the Nuremberg team a long time to get going. “We weren’t in derby mode in the first half,” said FCN youngster Uzun. The 17-year-old stayed cool from the penalty spot just before half-time.
The people of Fürth were angry about the penalty kick after the referee pointed to the spot due to slight contact far off the ball and a tip from the video assistant. “We don’t know what’s being whistled anymore, and we haven’t for years,” said Zorniger after the whistle, which surprised everyone. “If no one complains, then it’s simply not a penalty.”
The second round began with a short interruption when the Fürth fans set off massive flares and even shot fireworks into the air. The footballers from both teams also provided a little more spectacle on the pitch with a lot of commitment and fight.
The “Club” and also the Fürth team, who had weakened substitutes, pushed for the winning goal, but there were not many great chances. Nuremberg striker Benjamin Goller failed twice alone in front of Fürth keeper Andreas Linde, who replaced the ill Jonas Urbig. The hosts also had to make a change in goal because regular goalkeeper Christian Mathenia was suspended; Carl Klaus was used as goalkeeper. “Club” captain Florian Hübner missed the possible 2-1 with his head in the final phase (76th). Kanji Okunuki could also have become a Nuremberg derby hero with a header (89′), but he didn’t score.
Table 2. Bundesliga
