NAC Breda hold Sparta Rotterdam as keepers dominate | OneFootball

NAC Breda and Sparta Rotterdam drew 0-0 at the Rat Verlegh Stadion, a result that keeps the hosts 17th while the visitors remain eighth in the Eredivisie play-offs race.

Early on, Joel Drommel kept Sparta level with smart saves from Rio Hillen and Fredrik Jensen headers, as NAC forced a string of corners. Daniel Bielica answered in kind before the interval, parrying Mitchell van Bergen's drives and gathering crosses under pressure.

After the restart, Bielica denied Tobias Lauritsen from close range and held firm as Sparta looked for a late smash-and-grab. At half-time Maurice Steijn introduced Shurandy Sambo, Giannino Vianello and Ayoni Santos to steady the visitors, while Carl Hoefkens' changes brought impetus as André Ayew, Juho Talvitie and Lewis Holtby combined, with Ayew heading wide late from Talvitie's cross. Raul Paula also tested Drommel from range and curled a late free-kick just over.

NAC Breda saw more of the ball with 55.6% possession and delivered 11 corners, producing 12 attempts with four on target. Sparta Rotterdam registered six attempts, three on target, and racked up 36 clearances under sustained pressure.

Next, NAC Breda visit Fortuna Sittard. Sparta Rotterdam host PSV.