BARREN SPELL CONTINUES AT ESPRIT ARENA
Düsseldorf - Fortuna Düsseldorf remain without a win at the ESPRIT Arena this season, after being held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man 1899 Hoffenheim.
Resilient
Just four minutes were on the clock when Fortuna opened the scoring. Under-fire Hoffenheim goalkeeper Tim Wiese got nowhere a long free kick from Ronny Garbuschewski, allowing Robbie Kruse to nod into the empty net from close range. Hoffenheim were rocking and were a shade fortunate not to be further behind as Garbuschewski rifled a dead-ball effort narrowly over.
To their credit, the away side patiently awaited a way back into the contest and got their reward six minutes before the half-time whistle. Andreas Beck sent in a teasing right-wing cross, which Joselu duly dispatched, rising above his marker at the back post to head home his fourth league goal of the season.
Having got back on level terms before the break, Hoffenheim's efforts were dealt a blow five minutes into the second half. Marvin Compper had been struggling all afternoon to keep track of Fortuna's Kruse, and could have no complaints as he picked up a second booking for a blatant tug on the lively Australian.
However, for all their possession, Fortuna were unable to forge a way past Hoffenheim's resilient back four. In fact, it was Markus Babbel's charges who very nearly nicked all three points as Sebastian Rudy slid a teasing ball across goal and marginally out of Joselu's reach at the far post.
Line-ups and statistics
Christopher Mayer-Lodge
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