Darmstadt steal three points at the death of tense encounter

Darmstadt were able to steal all three points against FC Nürnberg at Max-Morlock-Stadion to make it two wins out of two at the start of the 2. Bundesliga campaign.

In a closely contested opening half, Miroslav Klose’s Nürnberg came close to opening the scoring in the 18th minute, as Danilo Soares let rip from distance. While a good effort, the ball flew half a metre wide of the post. 

It would be the visitors who came the closest of either side, though in the 23rd minute, when Marco Richter hit a well-struck volley towards Jan Reichert that was well saved by the 24-year-old goalkeeper.

And it would be Darmstadt again that carried on as the more cohesive unit in the final third. Five minutes after the match had resumed for the second half, Hiroki Akiyami saw a shot inside the box well saved by Reichert, who made his second impressive stop of the match, this time after a fantastic move from the visitors. 

Nürnberg had their first effort of note in the 65th minute, as Tim Janisch sent a well-struck effort towards goal from the right-hand side of the box, which was, however, too close to goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen.

The match began to open up as the final 20 minutes began, with both sides having a series of chances. Fabian Nürnberger sent a powerful shot towards goal for Darmstadt; however, it failed to trouble Reichert.

Semir Talalovic went up the other end for the hosts and sent a one-on-one effort just wide of the post.

And the biggest chance of the game thus far came not long after in the 75th minute as Robin Knoche sent a fantastic header towards goal from a corner that was saved brilliantly by Schuhen.

The match was firmly poised on a knife-edge, and the hosts came ever so close to opening the scoring from a header, this time from Fabio Gruber, that was once again saved fantastically. 

With neither side managing to break through until the 94th minute, Darmstadt dramatically stole the match.

After some lackadaisical Nürnberg defending, Killian Corredor was able to latch onto a knock-on and prod the ball past Reichert, who had been fantastic all match long.

With the travelling supporters from Hessen in raptures, the whistle went to see the visitors take all three points after the match seemed destined to end level.

After an impressive 4-1 win against Bochum last weekend, Darmstadt made it two wins out of two in a tense away fixture, while Nürnberg are still yet to put a point on the board.