Sinsheim - 1899 Hoffenheim had to settle for their first goalless draw of the season and their first under head coach Markus Gisdol as they failed to make use of their numerous chances at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Late drama ends in bore draw

The hosts boasted an enviable control during the opening exchanges as their short-passing game forced Eintracht to drop deep inside the own half in a bid to stave off the danger. Kevin Volland and Niklas Süle both went close with headed efforts inside the first 15 minutes, but having held firm against the hosts’ early pressure Frankfurt began finding their feet. However, with the pace of proceedings dwindling as the half wore on and the killer pass in the final third eluding both sides, chances were few and far between.

Approaching the end of an unremarkable first half, Jens Grahl did well to deny Alexander Madlung, but was fortunate that Martin Lanig failed to make better use of the loose ball inside the six-yard box. At the other end, Volland fired just wide to ensure the sides went in at the break with the deadlock still intact. Aside from Anthony Modeste firing straight at Kevin Trapp, there was little change to the pattern of proceedings after the restart as two of Germany’s most attacking sides continued to cancel each other out.

With both teams seemingly content to take their foot of the pedal, the chances failed to emerge at the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar Arena. Life was injected into the encounter, however, when Trapp felled Modeste inside the area before picking himself up to deny Firmino from the spot. The French striker then saw red moments later for lashing out after a challenge from Carlos Zambrano, forcing 1899 to hold on for a point and leaving them firmly entrenched in mid-table.

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