Nürnberg squeeze past Saarbrücken after penalty shoot-out drama

Inseparable after 120 minutes of action and the scores level at 1-1, Miroslav Klose’s Nürnberg displayed great composure in securing a 5-3 penalty shoot-out win over Saarbrücken.

Giant killers, 1.FC Saarbrücken, are out of the DfB Pokal in the first round. The 3.Liga side who spectacularly defeated Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach in last year’s edition of the German cup bowed out on penalties against Nürnberg this afternoon.

Nürnberg opened the scoring in the 12th-minute via a sublime strike from Michal Sevcik. New signing, Robin Knoche, played a pivotal role in constructing the lead. Finding his teammate in space, the Czechia midfielder curled to the net from 20 metres with pin-point precision. Saarbrücken goalkeeper Menzel proved vital in preventing Okinuki and Nürnberg extending their lead before the break.

The hero of the previous season’s cup run, Kai Brünker entered the action for Saarbrücken after the interval. The 30-year-old would prove influential once more, bagging the equaliser for the 3.Liga side with ten minutes remaining. Calogero Rizzuto crossed centrally for Brünker. The striker briefly held his ground against Jeltsch and fired home with a fine volley as he fell to ground. 

Saarbrücken looked the more threatening of the two in extra-time, but neither side could uncover that game-winning moment. The dreaded penalty shoot-out ensued. All of Duman, Flick, and Serra converted for the visitors, with Saarbrücken’s Rizzuto and Civeja responding. Ultimately, the pressure was too much for Manuel Zeitz who was denied by Christian Mathenia. All glory went to Nürnberg’s 19-year-old prodigy, Rafael Lubach, who tucked home the fifth and final spot kick as Nürnberg progress.