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Europa League: 2-2 against Antwerp – Eintracht Frankfurt missed early round of 16 entry

Europa League Europa League

2-2 against Antwerp – Eintracht Frankfurt missed early knockout stages

Frankfurt's Lucas Silva Melo (r) and Antwerp's Radja Nainggolan fight for the ball

Frankfurt’s Lucas Silva Melo (r) and Antwerp’s Radja Nainggolan fight for the ball

Source: dpa / Arne Dedert

30,000 spectators and the best Frankfurt home atmosphere. But it was not enough for the direct entry into the round of 16. Against Royal Antwerp, the Hessians came only to a 2-2.

Eintracht Frankfurt missed the premature group victory in the Europa League and must tremble about the direct entry into the round of 16. The Hessian Bundesliga club came on Thursday evening after a long-term weak performance against the Belgian representative Royal Antwerp only to a 2: 2 (1: 1) and needs at least one point in the group final on December 9 at Fenerbahce Istanbul to make the playoffs to skip and buy the ticket for the round of the last 16 teams.

In front of 30,000 spectators, Daichi Kamada gave Eintracht the lead in the 13th minute, but Radja Nainggolan (33rd) and Ally Samatta (88th) turned the game around. Substitute Gonçalo Paciência (90 + 4) saved at least one point.

After the most recent 2-0 win in the Bundesliga at SC Freiburg, Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner trusted the same starting line-up, which began briskly and confidently. However, the necessary precision was initially lacking. The tour therefore came as a surprise. Timothy Chandler crossed from the right into the box, where Kamada converted directly into the penalty area. It was the third goal for the Japanese in this Europa League season.

The hoped-for playful ease did not find its way. Rather, the guests almost came to a quick 1: 1. After an uncertainty from Kevin Trapp, Antwerp’s striker Michael Frey came free in the penalty area, but the Eintracht goalkeeper ironed out his mistake himself.

The Frankfurters controlled the game, but their offensive didn’t really get going. The Belgian goal was hardly in serious danger until the break. The compensation was therefore not undeserved. After a corner, Nainggolan volleyed the ball into the net, whereby his shot was deflected twice and was therefore untenable for Trapp.

After the move, the Hessians increased the pressure, but opportunities remained scarce. The only thing that caused a stir were the fans of the Belgians, who burned down pyrotechnics after an hour in the stands. Shortly afterwards, Eintracht fans ignited a firecracker behind the guests’ goal, whereupon the English referee Paul Tierney briefly interrupted the game.

As soon as the game was released again, there was the next moment of shock for Eintracht. After a free kick, Ritchie De Laet poked the ball past Trapp into the far corner, but the video evidence saved Eintracht. Since the shooter was just offside, the hit was withdrawn. In the final phase it got turbulent again. When Eintracht looked loser again, Paciência was there.

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