Goalless stalemate in Düsseldorf to begin Rückrunde

All square at the break

Daniel Thioune was forced into one change in the starting line-up, the returning Jan Gyamerah replacing the injured Josha Vagnoman, and making a tactical change, Khaled Narey starting the game ahead of Bakery Jatta. The Rothosen, all in white, carried on from where they had left off on Saturday in Braunschweig, controlling possession and looking most threatening when playing down the wings. Khaled Narey had the best chance of the opening period, a cross down the middle of the field by the energetic Sonny Kittel finding the 26-year-old, but Narey was unable to get enough contact on his header, Düsseldorf goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier able to save with his feet. The middle of the first half saw a period of domination for HSV, pressing their hosts high up the pitch and forcing mistakes after losing possession, Stephan Ambrosius in particular not letting the Düsseldorf attackers onto the ball.

Fortuna found it difficult to get going, pressed into kicking long and hopeful when in possession, struggling to get into their rhythm. Turkish international Kenan Karaman looked most likely for the hosts, firing a warning shot across the bows in the 35th minute before heading a Thomas Pledl free-kick into the arms of a grateful Sven Ulreich for the last play of the half. For all of the precise passing and wingplay, the two sides went into the break with the same amount of shots on target, the Rothosen looking to turn their strong tactical showing into goals after the break.