Second-half goals from Johannes Geis and Felix Lohkemper condemned Adi Hütter’s side to defeat in Thursday’s closely fought friendly at Deutsche Bank Park.
Bördner in goal, Ndicka makes comeback
Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Elias Bördner was handed a rare start in a much-changed team from the one that drew 2-2 at VfB Stuttgart last weekend. Evan Ndicka made his comeback from injury, while the likes of Erik Durm, Danny da Costa and summer signing Ajdin Hrustic were given runouts.
Eintracht dominant
Hütter’s side wasted little time in stamping their authority on the match and created the first clear-cut opening after four minutes, but Dominik Kohr’s effort was straight at Nürnberg goalkeeper Christian Früchtl. Ndicka also went close to breaking the deadlock in the first half, beating his marker to Hrustic’s inswinging delivery but directing his header just wide of the far post.
The Eagles were given a let-off when Fabian Nürnberger’s effort struck the foot of the post, but the visitors rarely threatened otherwise and were fortunate not to trail at half-time after Durm’s goal-bound shot was hacked off the line by Asger Sörensen.
Nürnberg clinical
Having been under pressure for the majority of the first half, Robert Klauß’s team opened the scoring against the run of play two minutes into the second period. Half-time substitute Geis tried his luck from distance, managing to place his shot beyond the outstretched arm of Bördner to give his team the lead.
Eintracht continued to create opportunities and went close to an equaliser through da Costa with 20 minutes remaining, but Lohkemper slotted home four minutes from time to seal the win for Nürnberg.
SGE line-up
Bördner – Durm, Ndicka, Tuta, Toure (Fahrnberger 64’) – Hasebe (Cavar 64’), Kohr – Chandler, Hrustic, Da Costa – Dost (Makanda 64’)
Goals
0-1 Geis (47’)
0-2 Lohkemper (86’)
