Dortmund's Axel Witsel (C) vies with Nuremberg's Ondrej Petrak during a German Bundesliga match between 1. FC Nuremberg and Borussia Dortmund in Nuremberg, Germany, Feb. 18, 2019. The match ended 0-0. (Xinhua/Philippe Ruiz)
BERLIN, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Dortmund's advantage continues to shrink after bottom side Nuremberg secured a goalless draw on home soil to close the 22nd round of Bundesliga play on Monday.
Nuremberg ensured a bright start in front of home crowd as Hanno Behrens came close twice by header to test Dortmund's goalkeeper Roman Buerki at the half hour mark.
The host's chances were a wake-up call for the visitors as Mario Goetze forced Nuremberg's custodian Christian Mathenia twice into action as well moments later.
Dortmund dominated the ball but were unable to continue clear-cut chances against Nuremberg's well-positioned defence.
After the restart, Dortmund remained in complete control but lacked in penetration against visitors, who kept all their men behind the ball.
However, Mario Goezte tested Mathenia once again before substitute Paco Alcacer pulled wide from promising position in the closing period.
The "BVB" thought they had eventually snatched a late victory but the referee ruled Bruun Larsen's goal offside in the 87th minute.
Nuremberg almost grabbed the late winner against the run of the play two minutes later but Ewerton nodded over the target from inside the box.
With the draw, Borussia Dortmund stay atop the standings but their advantage shrunk to three points, while newly promoted bottom side Nuremberg remain on the last place of the Bundesliga standings.
"That is too little. We have to take all three points from here. We have to win here," Dortmund's midfielder Mario Goezte said.
