In an atmospheric Stadion an der Alten Försterei in Köpenick, Niko Kovač's Borussia Dortmund couldn't get the better of a rugged 1.FC Union Berlin side in the German capital. In the end, both sides had to settle for a point as it finished in a 0-0 stalemate.
After the pyrotechnic smoke passed handful of late tackles from BVB trio Ethan Nwaneri, Waldemar Anton and Serhou Guirassy saw all three pick up early yellow cards. In truth, there was little to discuss in the initial 20 minutes with chances few and far better.
Frederik Rønnow's goal came under a barrage of crosses, but the Dane handled each situation admirably. Barring one half-chance for Guirassy and a couple of Tim Skarke snipes at the other end, neither side could make serious inroads towards scoring.
Union Berlin ended the first-half on the front foot, but the second half saw Lustrinelli bring on Emmanuel Latte Lath for Imeri. The move did little to reduce Skarke's attacking output. Another good opportunity fell the 30-year-old's way but he blazed over the top.
The introduction of Kostas Karetsas and Fábio Silva was expected to lift the energy levels. Instead, the Greek prodigy hobbled off eight minutes later with an ankle injury. Kovač's remonstrations with the fourth official highlighting just how scrappy it had become.
In the end, neither side managed to land a decisive blow in normal time or the five minutes of injury time provided. Once again, Dortmund's lack of cutting edge laid bare. Accompanying the scoreless draw, a share of the spoils for the first time ever in this fixture.