Match report
On the evening of August 4th at 19:30, the German Second Division kicked off with a first-round match between Darmstadt and visiting team Fortuna Düsseldorf.
In the 8th minute, Fortuna Düsseldorf completed the first shot on goal of the match. After cutting inside, Klaus took a low shot that was held by the goalkeeper.
In the 10th minute, Darmstadt also had a header attempt, with Vučićic rising above the opposing defender to head the ball, but it went wide under pressure.
In the 16th minute, Fortuna Düsseldorf created another scoring opportunity. Sobottka received a pass from a teammate on the right side of the box and curled a shot that went just wide of the post.
The game became very dull for a while after that, with neither team getting clear-cut chances to score.
In the 31st minute, Fortuna Düsseldorf attacked down the left flank, and their subsequent cross nearly resulted in an own goal as a Darmstadt defender almost deflected the ball into his own net.
In the 35th minute, Darmstadt responded, with Lopez blasting a shot from the right side of the box which was brilliantly saved by the Fortuna Düsseldorf goalkeeper. This was their closest chance to score in the first half.
In the 43rd minute, Fortuna Düsseldorf won a corner kick. The ball was cleared by a defender before it could reach the danger area, a vital clearance.
At halftime, neither team managed to find the back of the net, and Darmstadt remained level with Fortuna Düsseldorf at 0-0.
Starting lineups for Darmstadt:
1-Schuhhan; 23-Jasurla; 20-Vučićic; 38-Radl; 26-Batta; 2-Lopez; 17-Kai Kfeisch; 28-Wihr; 15-Nürnberg; 8-Marsel; 29-Wilhelmson;
Substitutes:
22-Nimtschik; 4-Zimmermann; 5-Maglica; 11-Kempf; 21-Papera; 16-Müller; 47-Elahali; 9-Hornby; 19-Lakenmacher;
Starting lineup for Fortuna Düsseldorf:
33-Karstenmeier; 25-Zimmerman; 3-Hoffmann; 19-Iyoha; 15-Obendorf; 11-Klaus; 31-Sobottka; 4-Tanaka; 23-Apelkamp; 8-Johannes; 22-Schmidt;
Substitutes:
1-Kawasigroj; 30-Dewegkes; 2-Ueno; 5-Kwasi; 27-Yastrzebski; 46-Suso; 21-Rossmann; 18-Nimiak; 45-Afo.