Stalemate in Frankfurt

High-flying Eintracht Frankfurt were held to a goalless home draw by Nurnberg.

Eintracht Frankfurt passed up the opportunity to move level on points with Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund as they were held to a goalless home draw by Nurnberg. The hosts advanced to 37 points to remain in fourth place, while the visitors advanced to 25 points - nine clear of the relegation zone. Frankfurt had the first chance after 12 minutes but Nurnberg goalkeeper Raphael Schafer stopped Takashi Inui's shot. Nurnberg went close 10 minutes later but Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp made a great save to deny Mike Frantz. Trapp was called upon again in the 25th minute to keep out Tomas Pekhart's attempt. Frankfurt were looking dangerous from set-pieces and almost took the lead on the half-hour mark, but Alexander Meier's free-kick flew inches wide of the right post. Trapp was again in the right place to thwart Nurnberg in the 34th minute, fending away Pekhart's bouncing shot which looked destined for the corner. Frankfurt again threatened five minutes before the break but Anderson's long-distance blast arrowed narrowly wide. Nurnberg's next opportunity came with 15 minutes left but Javier Pinola directed his shot from outside the box just wide of the left upright. Argentinian left-back Pinola again nearly got his name on the scoresheet six minutes later, getting past Frankfurt defender Carlos Zambrano only for Trapp to make the save on the line. Trapp preserved the point for his team again with two minutes remaining, first stopping Muhammed Ildiz's fierce attempt and then keeping out Sebastian Polter's effort on the rebound as well.