Darmstadt and Gladbach wrestle to a draw

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Torsten Frings and Dieter Hecking avoided defeat in their first games in charge of new clubs as SV Darmstadt 98 and Borussia Mönchengladbach played out a 0-0 draw.

SV Darmstadt 98 0-0 Borussia Mönchengladbach

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Only bottom club Darmstadt had a worse away record than Gladbach before the winter break but the visitors dominated early on. Jonas Hofmann almost caught out Michael Esser at his near post before Raffael missed a glorious chance to put Gladbach in front on 10 minutes. Hofmann picked out the Brazilian just outside the six-yard box but his sidefooted finish was just close enough to Esser to allow the Darmstadt keeper to make a stunning reaction stop.

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Darmstadt got better as the half wore on – with Antonio-Mirko Colak almost getting on the end of a cross from the impressive Marcel Heller and Sandro Sirigu missing the loose ball after Gladbach keeper Yann Sommer pushed a corner into his path. Gladbach left back Oscar Wendt carved out a shooting chance in each half but Darmstadt improved considerably after the break. Midway through the second half Gladbach’s Thorgan Hazard jinked his way into the box before toepoking against the post but Darmstadt finished strongly and Sommer was in the right place to keep out Aytac Sulu’s late header.

Man of the match

Darmstadt keeper Esser was a strong candidate for his superb save from Raffael. Frings will need his side to start scoring as well though if they are to get out of trouble and winger Heller’s energy, pace and determination was the perfect example of what’s required.

Talking point

Frings has stopped the rot at Darmstadt, who ended a run of eight defeats in a row with this result. A point is not the worst result for Hecking either though, as it was only the second that Gladbach have picked up on their travels this season.

Match stats

    Gladbach have now won just one of their last 12 Bundesliga games.The Foals have scored only three goals in eight away matches this season.Darmstadt have not scored in five league matches.

Line-ups

Darmstadt: Esser – Sirigu, Milosevic, Sulu, Holland – Gondorf, Vrancic (Jungwirth 82’), Heller, Rosenthal (Niemeyer 70’), Guwara – Colak (Schipplock 89’)

Coach: Torsten Frings

Gladbach: Sommer – Jantschke, Christensen, Vestergaard, Wendt – Kramer, Dahoud, Hazard, Stindl, Hofmann (Hahn 70’) – Raffael (Simakala 80’).

Coach: Dieter Hecking

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