Stuttgart twice came from behind to snatch a point from their visit to local rivals Hoffenheim in a 2-2 draw at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.
Hoffenheim showed they were up for this derby when Ermin Bicakcic struck the outside of the post after only three minutes.
Markus Gisdol's men took the lead half an hour later with Kevin Volland converting from the penalty spot after Pirmin Schwegler was fouled in the area by Toni Sunjic.
And they could have doubled their advantage before half-time when Eduardo Vargas' lob was touched on to the inside of the left-hand post by Przemyslaw Tyton, who clutched the rebound.
Jan Kliment headed Stuttgart back on level terms to crown a sustained period of pressure for the guests, but Volland lobbed Tyton to restore Hoffenheim's lead soon after.
Timo Werner had the final word with another equaliser for Stuttgart, potentially saving the job of his coach Alexander Zorniger with a header from six yards out, although he could and probably should have supplied a winner from the same distance in the final minute.
ends