2. Bundesliga: Free-scoring Nürnberg defeat Fürth in dramatic Franconian derby
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Julian Justvan and Piet Scobel helped Miroslav Klose’s Nürnberg to a comeback derby win away at Greuther Fürth. The hosts took the lead twice in the first-half before two second-half goals left them undone in the 277th Franconian derby.
Felix Klaus, who has been sensational since returning to his boyhood club last summer, opened the scoring from a penalty-kick in the midpoint of the first 45 minutes. It took only four minutes for the visitors to level the score, as 21-year-old Scobel continued his fine pre-season form with his first official goal of the season.
Both teams had disallowed goals before Fürth’s new captain Klaus scored with a composed finish three minutes after VAR denied him a brace. However, Nürnberg once again responded immediately, as Scobel and Justvan repeated their link-up, with the latter beating 18-year-old goalkeeper Florian Hellstern.
It was a different story after the break as Klose’s troops completely dominated the game as they deservedly took the lead for the first time with Justvan’s finish from outside the box. Klaus had another opportunity for a hat-trick minutes after the hour mark, but his weak penalty-kick was saved by Jan Reichert.
Scobel, who only had two goals throughout last season, grabbed his second fifteen minutes from time to seal the three points. The former St. Pauli youngster also scored four goals in pre-season.
Nürnberg celebrated their victory with the traveling fans after the final whistle. Last season’s midtable side are now top of 2. Bundesliga as they scored seven goals in their first two games. Despite a quiet afternoon for sought-after striker Mohamed Ali Zoma, who started the campaign with a hat-trick against Dynamo Dresden, they found a way to extend their unbeaten run in the Franconian derby to five games.
Klaus will regret his penalty-kick miss, but he kept up his form from the end of the last season with three goals in the first two matchdays. Fürth will stay at home for the DFB-Pokal opener against Bochum before a trip to newly-promoted Energie Cottbus in 2. Bundesliga.
Nürnberg’s renewed hope of promotion will face challenges against Arminia Bielefeld and Holstein Kiel in the next two matchdays after their trip to 3. Liga side Viktoria Köln in the cup.
