Key Takeaways
- Fabio Gruber scored his first goal of the season to rescue a point for 1. FC Nürnberg against their Bavarian neighbours.
- Noel Futkeu’s strike briefly gave SpVgg Greuther Fürth hope, but they remain in the relegation playoff spot.
- The on-loan Eintracht Frankfurt forward has now matched Mateusz Żukowski at the top of the 2. Bundesliga scoring charts.
Peruvian centre-back Fabio Gruber netted deep into first-half stoppage time to earn 1. FC Nürnberg a share of the spoils against local rivals SpVgg Greuther Fürth on Sunday. The result leaves Heiko Vogel’s men stuck in 17th position as the season enters its final stretch.
Noel Futkeu had earlier put the Cloverleaves ahead with his 17th league goal of the campaign. The 23-year-old striker, who will return to parent club Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of the season, is now level with 1. FC Magdeburg’s Mateusz Żukowski in the race for the Torjägerkanone.
Despite Futkeu’s efforts, Greuther Fürth could not hold on for victory. They remain level on points with both Fortuna Düsseldorf and Eintracht Braunschweig, though their inferior goal difference keeps them in the relegation playoff place.
Nürnberg climb back to ninth in the table, sitting one point above Holstein Kiel. Miroslav Klose’s side are mathematically safe from the drop and will compete in Germany’s second tier again next term.
The Bavarian derby rivals had previously played out a draw in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Fürth now face a nerve-wracking conclusion to the campaign with matches against Hertha BSC and Fortuna Düsseldorf remaining.