Carl Zeiss Jena surprises with draw at RB Leipzig

The footballers from FC Carl Zeiss Jena have gained some breathing space in the Bundesliga relegation battle in their clash with RB Leipzig. On matchday 17, the promoted team surprised the high favorites with a 1:1 (0:0). Noemi Gentile put the hosts ahead in the 51st minute at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld. Giovanna Hoffmann equalized with a penalty (73').

Leipzig were dominant, but the Thuringians fought fiercely and defended their penalty area. Jena were also able to initiate attacks themselves, but without creating any major chances. That changed shortly after the restart. Nelly Juckel took the ball with her arm in the penalty area without being penalized and the ball rolled to Gentile, who tunneled through Leipzig goalkeeper Elvira Herzog to make it 1-0.

Leipzig pressed for an equalizer and made it 1-1 when international Hoffmann converted a penalty. However, Jena were dangerous on the counterattack but were unable to score a second goal. The fourth draw gave FCC some breathing space in the relegation battle and put them three points ahead of bottom club Turbine Potsdam. Leipzig remain in no man's land in the table.