Europa League
Eintracht Frankfurt wins 2-1 against Olympiacos Piraeus
The team Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates their victory in the Europa League games against Olympiacos.
© Angelos Tzortzinis / DPA
With a 2-1 win against the Greeks, the Eintracht Frankfurt team remains in the Europa League in winter. She could now be the first to move into the round of 16.
Eintracht Frankfurt made the winter in the Europa League oasis of well-being perfect early on. The Hessians, ailing in the Bundesliga, celebrated a late 2: 1 (1: 1) victory against Greek champions Olympiacos Piraeus on Thursday evening, securing at least a ticket for the playoffs against a third party in the Champions League.
With ten points, Eintracht now leads Group D well ahead of Piraeus (6) and thus has the best chance of being the first to make it directly to the round of 16. Youssef El Arabi gave the hosts the lead in the 12th minute, which Daichi Kamada (17th) equalized. Jens Petter Hauge (90 + 1) scored the acclaimed winning goal for the Frankfurt team in stoppage time.
Several failures at Eintracht
After the injured Filip Kostic, Ajdin Hrustic, Christopher Lenz and Gonçalo Paciência failed, Eintracht, which was still unbeaten in Europe, had to do without Erik Durm for a short time. The midfielder signed off with gastrointestinal problems. In addition, defense chief Martin Hinteregger only sat on the bench. “He made a tired impression recently,” explained coach Oliver Glasner, who changed the starting line-up to five positions compared to the most recent 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig.
For Hinteregger, veteran Makoto Hasebe moved into the three-man chain, who failed the first endurance test. Tuta was overrun on the right side of defense by Henry Onyekuru, whose cross was completed by El Arabi, who was completely free in the center, to give the Greeks an early lead.
However, the Hessians were not shocked by this and quickly gave the appropriate answer. Rafael Borré served Kamada, who lifted the ball past Piraeus goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik into the net. The Japanese had already scored in the 3-1 win in the first leg.
Victory despite mistakes
The compensation gave the Frankfurters a little more security in their actions, even if hardly anything went on the offensive. In addition, mistakes crept into the game of Eintracht, which was in serious danger after 36 minutes. Giorgos Masouras suddenly appeared free in front of the goal, but Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp rescued brilliantly with his foot. The 31-year-old, who had been in top form for weeks, was also on the post a little later when Mohamed Camara shot.
After the move, Piraeus increased the pressure. Onyekuru (57th) had the renewed lead on his feet, but narrowly missed. It was only after 69 minutes that the Bundesliga team came dangerously in front of the opponent’s goal. Substitute Jesper Lindström failed because of Vaclik. In the final phase, the substitute Hauge was on the spot and ensured that the Eintracht cheers were released.
