Welch a spectacle. Finally the breakthrough, finally the turning point. So Eintracht can still win in front of its own audience. Again it was a last-minute action that delighted Eintracht in the 2-1 win against Union Berlin, and again the decisive goal fell in stoppage time. This time it happened in the fifth and last minute of the look-up when Evan Ndicka turned the Frankfurt arena into a madhouse.
The preparatory flank came – of course – from Filip Kostic. Eintracht took the lead on Sunday afternoon with a splendid goal from Djibril Sow (22nd minute). Max Kruse with a converted penalty kick equalized in front of just 24,000 spectators (62nd). For a long time it actually looked like another draw – but then Ndicka struck her head coldly.
For the third time in a row, Eintracht coach Glasner trusted the same starting line-up. Martin Hinteregger, who has recovered from an injury, took his place on the bench. From the beginning it was clear who was dominating this game and who wanted to win it with power: Eintracht Frankfurt. The team led by captain Makoto Hasebe played out chance after chance.
A goal was scored in the seventh minute – but it didn’t count. When Rafael Borré accepted Daichi Kamada’s pass, the Colombian, who purposefully set course for the Berlin goal and confidently shot the ball, was one step offside. Referee Sascha Stegmann did not need the help of his video colleague watching in the Cologne basement to evaluate the action.
Kruse equalizes for Union Berlin
In the 22nd minute it really happened: Eintracht deservedly took the lead. After a corner kick, Djibril Sow was free to score the 1-0 from 18 meters with a powerful and precisely targeted right-footed shot. It was the first goal of the season for the Swiss who held back the most elementary goal of football, the goal, during his stay in Frankfurt. Last season he was without a goal.
Sow’s direct hit acted as an initial spark, because from then on the Frankfurters pushed their attacks even more. Union did not develop at all, and unity subsequently offered a multitude of excellent opportunities for bullets. In the 25th minute, Kamada was unlucky when his header hit the top of the bar after a Filip Kostic corner. The action would have been worth a goal – as was the attack in the 34th minute, when the running Jesper Lindström was disturbed at the last moment by two Berliners.
Only two minutes later it was Kostic, who had bad luck with a left-footed shot at the side netting after a counterattack made in a flash. But that’s not all: Borré, who played very helpful to the team, had the next opportunity to increase to 2-0. Again Kostic recommended himself as a preparer, Borré forgave (41.).
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After changing sides, the usual picture presented itself. Eintracht continued to determine the game, Union limited itself to occasional relief attacks. After an hour, however, the situation changed. Taiwo Awoniyi, the Köpenick’s most successful attacker with eight goals so far, was fouled by Evan Ndicka in the Frankfurt penalty area. Stegemann didn’t hesitate for a second and decided on a penalty.
The Nigerian’s action was preceded by a scene that must have been a millimeter, because Eintracht wanted to have seen the Berlin ball in the preparatory phase. The video referee was consulted – the ball was apparently not completely out of bounds. Max Kruse did not miss the chance to load Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp from eleven meters and shoot in to make it 1-1 (62nd).
In the 68th minute, Glasner made the first change in personnel. Borré left, Goncalo Paciencia came. The man who made people feel happy in the Europa League on Thursday evening, he met in stoppage time to 2-2 against Royal Antwerp. Should the stormy Portuguese succeed in a similar stroke of genius in the everyday league against the iron from Union? Paciencia received support in the attack from the 77th minute. Glasner took Lindström out of the game and once more put his trust in Ragnar Ache.
Six minutes before the end of regular time it became hectic and difficult. Paciencia fell to the ground after a tussle with Marvin Friedrich – but the penalty whistle loudly demanded by the audience and the protesting Eintracht professionals did not materialize. The video man in the Cologne basement, who was switched on, also remained silent. The heated game, accompanied by emotions, offered plenty of tension even in the five-minute stoppage time. When Ndicka actually scored the 2-1 winner with his head seconds before the end, the late, well-deserved luck was perfect.
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