Stuttgart's Mario Gomez reacts during a German Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Fortuna Duesseldorf, in Stuttgart, Germany, on Sept. 21, 2018. The match ended 0-0. (Xinhua/Philippe Ruiz)
BERLIN, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Stuttgart and newly promoted Dusseldorf played out a goalless draw at the opener of the 4th round in Bundesliga on Friday.
Stuttgart's goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler defused seven promising attempts in the closing stages and forced Dusseldorf to share the spoils.
The hosts grabbed the better start into the clash as Chadroc Akolo's tested Dusseldorf custodian Michael Rensing, who spilled and secured the ball before Mario Gomez was able to tap home from close range at the half hour mark.
Gomez remained in the thick of things as he squandered another chance after heading wide following a cross from Nicolas Gonzalez before the break.
Dusseldorf focused on their defensive performance but yet they came to their chance late in the first half when Niko Giesselmann's long-range effort missed the target.
After the restart, Dusseldorf came out with their guns blazing whereas Stuttgart's goalie Zieler was on guard to deny the opener with two fine saves.
The hosts came to their chances as well when Gonzalez' header came dangerously close to open the scoring. However, it were the visitors who dictated the pace as Zieler had to tip Marvin Duscksch's shot over the bar.
Dusseldorf continued on the front foot but Zieler remained unbeatable as neither Alfredo Morales nor Kaan Ayhan were able to snatch a late victory on the road.
Hence, Stuttgart reaped their second straight draw meanwhile Dusseldorf reaped their first draw of the season.
Stuttgart climbed on the 15th position while Dusseldorf stay on the 8th place of the Bundesliga standings for now.
"It was a difficult game for us. We wanted to win but weren't able. That will not upset us. After all, it is of course a disappointment but we have to stay tuned," Stuttgart's head coach Tayfun Korkut said.
"The point is well deserved as we had a few good opportunities in the closing period. Today we didn't finished off our counter attacks correctly and wasted thus a number of chances," Dusseldorf's head coach Friedhelm Funke said.
The following fixtures are scheduled for Saturday: Hoffenheim host Borussia Dortmund, Hertha Berlin face Borussia Monchengladbach, Augsburg see Werder Bremen, Wolfsburg take on Freiburg, newly promoted Nuremberg encounter Hannover and Schalke clash with front runners and defending champions Bayern Munich.
