Hertha BSC missed a chance at a 2. Bundesliga start record, playing to a scoreless draw against Holstein Kiel. FC Nürnberg settled for a 1–1 tie at Energie Cottbus. Reporting from the match, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted that the top teams in the German second division failed to secure a single victory on Friday evening, leaving the historic benchmark set by Hannover 96 intact.
Holstein Kiel Halts Berlin’s Record Run
Hertha entered Friday’s fixture carrying a seven-match winning streak in league play, aiming to equal Hannover’s 1986–87 record of eight consecutive victories to open a second-tier campaign. Despite dominating possession at the bottom-ranked club, Berlin failed to capitalize on early chances from Oluwaseun Adewumi in the 11th and 15th minutes. Kiel nearly snatched an upset shortly after halftime when Adrian Kapralik fired a close-range effort just wide in the 48th minute.
The draw keeps Kiel anchored at the bottom as the only winless side in the division, yet the result provided relief for under-fire manager Tim Walter. “It’s not about me, it’s about the club,” Walter stated before the match. The stubborn defensive display allowed the Störche to climb to 16th place in the standings ahead of Sunday’s fixtures, while Berlin left the coast with a solitary point and a broken streak.
Nürnberg Maintains Second Place Amid Injury Concern
FC Nürnberg preserved its unbeaten run under coach Miroslav Klose but suffered a significant personnel blow during a 1–1 draw at Energie Cottbus. Mohamed Ali Zoma exited the match before halftime on a stretcher, clutching his left shoulder. Zoma, who has scored seven goals this season, left the pitch in visible pain as Nürnberg struggled to find its rhythm against an aggressive home side.
Justin Butler put Cottbus ahead in the 56th minute by steering the ball into an empty net following a pass from Leonardo Bittencourt, marking Butler’s fourth scoring appearance. Although an apparent second goal by Butler was disallowed for offside in the 63rd minute, Nürnberg eventually found an equalizer through Styopa Mkrtchyan in the 79th minute. The draw keeps Klose’s squad in second place in the table.
Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
Friday’s results leave Hertha BSC at the top of the table, though their missed opportunity keeps the 1986–87 Hannover 96 start record untouched. Nürnberg remains second, extending their unbeaten start to the season despite dropping two points on the road. Holstein Kiel collected a point, moving to 16th place.
Both Hertha BSC and 1. FC Nürnberg return to 2. Bundesliga action next weekend as the second division schedule continues.
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