Frankfurt stumble versus Fürth

Eintracht Frankfurt were lucky to finish with a draw Friday against Greuther Fürth. The hosts' shaky defense offered a myriad of chances, but the visitors could manage only a solitary goal.

It took just 25 seconds for Frankfurt to take the lead. Immediately after kickoff, the hosts stormed downfield and fired their first shot on goal.

Midfielder Alexander Meier was there to meet rebound, which he sent low and to the right past goalkeeper Bernd Grün. The goal gave Meier his seventh on the season in just 10 games.

As the half progressed, Fürth began to fight back. The Frankfurt defense looked vulnerable, particularly to the through ball, but the visitors were unable to capitalize on their opportunities and the first half finished 1-0.

Fürth fight back

Fürth, who pressed as soon as play resumed, equalized in the 55th minute when Sercan Sarerer played Zoltan Stieber through on goal. Kevin Trapp ran out to meet him, but the Hungarian cleverly chipped it over the Frankfurt keeper to make it 1-1.

The Bavarians continued to press and create chances, but inadequate finishing and strong play from Trapp meant the two sides stayed level.

It has been two very different seasons for the newly-promoted sides. The draw gives Fürth their seventh point of the season, lifting them out of last place and one point above Augsburg.

Frankfurt, meanwhile, remain third and sit five points above fourth-place Borussia Dortmund. Captain Pirmin Schwegler was disappointed with the draw, but expressed optimism for the season as a whole.

"We already have 20 points, that's half of our goal for the season," he said after the match, adding that qualifying for European play would be an important accomplishment.