Did it deliver?
A fixture that delivered its goals early but faded badly, with the second half producing no important moments at all. The first half had the substance, and the match never recovered from the stalemate after the break.
Magdeburg dominated the ball with 69% possession and 638 passes at 91% accuracy, but could not turn that control into a win at Darmstadt. Tobias Müller put them ahead at 14′ from a corner sequence, finishing after his first effort had been blocked. Darmstadt, who were far more direct, levelled at 37′ when Milan Smit converted Marco Richter's assist following a spell of three corners in 16 minutes. Darmstadt had more shots (15 to 12) and more corners (7 to 5), though only three of their efforts were on target, and Magdeburg had two. The second half was flat, with no notable chances, and a run of bookings (six yellow cards in all) and a string of late substitutions did little to change the picture. Both sides move on with a point and will be disappointed not to have found a winner given the chances they missed (one big chance for Darmstadt, two for Magdeburg).
Bottom-of-the-table Darmstadt, with all eight of their points won at home, host fifth-placed Magdeburg at the Böllenfalltor. Darmstadt arrive buoyed by a cup win at Elversberg, while Magdeburg must recover from a 6–1 defeat at Bayern on a short turnaround.
Scored in the cup win at Elversberg and arrives in good form as a creative presence in midfield.
Also scored at Elversberg and gives Darmstadt a goal threat at home.
A dangerous attacker on the counter if he passes a fitness check after his shoulder knock.
An experienced forward who can punish space left by a Darmstadt side pushing for a win.
Darmstadt 98
Magdeburg
Magdeburg•DefenderCorner awarded.
Richmond Tachie comes on for Baris Atik.
Corner awarded.
Lance Duijvestijn is substituted off for Milan Smit.
Lars Kehl is on, and Marco Richter is off.
Shot by Torben Musel with his right foot is blocked.
Magnus Baars is on, and Emmanuel Iyoha is off.
Kevin Manthey is substituted for Luka Hyrylainen.
Falko Michel takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Milan Smit takes a shot with his right foot but misses.
Marco Richter takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Substitution: Felipe Chavez replaces Roko Simic.
William Mikelbrencis takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Aleksandar Vukotic takes a shot, but it is blocked.
Anselmo García MacNultyYellow CardYellow card shown to Anselmo Garcia McNulty.
Baris Atik takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Marco RichterYellow CardMarco Richter receives a yellow card.
On comes Lee Ho jae, off goes Fynn Lakenmacher.
Roko Simic takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Alexander Nollenberger's right-footed shot is blocked.
Aleksandar Vukotic comes on for Patric Pfeiffer.
Patric Pfeiffer takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Noah Weisshaupt takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Fynn Lakenmacher takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Noah Weisshaupt takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Herbert Bockhorn is on, and Pierre Nadjombe is off.
William Mikelbrencis takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Luka Hyrylainen takes a shot with his head, but it is blocked.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
Pierre NadjombeYellow CardYellow card issued to Pierre Nadjombe.
Raoul PetrettaYellow CardRaoul Petretta receives a yellow card.
Roko SimicYellow CardRoko Simic receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Luka Hyrylainen takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Baris Atik takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Torben Musel takes a right-footed shot but misses.
William Mikelbrencis attempts a header but misses the shot.
Milan SmitMilan Smit scores with a right-footed shot.
assist: Marco Richter
Goal! Milan Smit scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Marco Richter.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Baris Atik takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Tobias MüllerTobias Muller scores with a right-footed shot.
Goal! Tobias Muller scores to make it 0-1.
Corner awarded.
Tobias Muller takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Noah Weisshaupt takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked off the line.
Marco Richter takes a right-footed shot, but it hits the post.
Kick-off! The referee is Lukas Benen.
