Kaiserslautern and Karlsruhe continue their unbeaten start to the 2. Bundesliga season as the Südwestderby (southwest derby) ended goalless on Saturday. The visitors had the best chances in what was a physical encounter from the first whistle.
In particular, Kaiserslautern’s captain Marlon Ritter was at the center of altercations with several Karlsruhe players. The best moment of the game came when Karlsruhe’s goalkeeper Hans Christian Bernat nearly scored from his own half with a quickly taken free-kick.
However, his opposite number Julian Krahl managed to keep his second clean sheet of the season with a last-gasp save. Kaiserslautern started the season with two goalless draws, while Karlsruhe climbed to third before tomorrow’s three matches.
As this followed Kaiserslautern’s draw at Wolfsburg, we’re still waiting for the first Topspiel goal of the season after two matchdays. It’s the first time that successive late Saturday games at the start of a season ended in goalless draws in 2. Bundesliga.
Kaiserslautern will next face back-to-back games away from home as they travel to last season’s Bundesliga club St. Pauli after visiting 3. Liga side Waldhof Mannheim. Karlsruhe will host Wolfsburg following their trip to SC Preußen Münster in the DFB-Pokal.