Knauff’s dream goal is not enough for Frankfurt to win over Barcelona
After a corner kick, Ansgar Knauff (left) scores to make it 1-0
What: AP
In a duel with the favorites, Eintracht Frankfurt did brilliantly. FC Barcelona strikes back after a wonderful goal by Ansgar Knauff. In the quarter-final second leg of the Europa League, everything is still possible for the Bundesliga club.
Eintracht Frankfurt has successfully stood up to FC Barcelona and can continue to dream of reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. The Bundesliga soccer club fought a deserved 1-1 (0-0) in the first quarter-final duel with the five-time Champions League winner on Thursday, which gives the Hessians, who are still unbeaten in the current competition, every chance of progressing.
In front of 48,000 spectators, Ansgar Knauff gave Eintracht the lead in the 48th minute, which Ferran Torres (66th) equalized. The second leg at the Camp Nou will take place next Thursday. Then the Frankfurt defender Tuta, who saw the yellow-red card in the 78th minute, is missing.
“Only Gods Are Resurrected”
Even before kick-off there was goosebumps in the sold-out arena. Because the fans dedicated their choreography to the recently deceased Eintracht legend Jürgen Grabowski. Under a black-and-white picture of the 1974 world champion, the slogan was emblazoned: “Only gods are resurrected.”
When it started, national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was able to distinguish himself under the eyes of national coach Hansi Flick. The Eintracht keeper deflected a long-range shot from Torres over the crossbar with his fingertips in the 3rd minute.
However, Eintracht was not at a loss for an answer. “We definitely want to travel to Barcelona with a result, where anything is still possible,” coach Oliver Glasner stressed again just before the start of the game. His team appeared correspondingly bold. First, a shot from Knauff was deflected to a corner, shortly afterwards Djibril Sow missed the greatest chance for an early lead. After preparatory work by Jesper Lindström, the Swiss shot freely from ten meters.
As expected, Barça had more possession of the ball, but the dreaded combination game of the Catalans had no effect against the Hessians, who are strong in running and fighting. Again and again, the hosts provided the rooms well. The favorites also suffered a personal setback midway through the first half: defender Gerard Pique hobbled off with a thigh injury and was replaced by Clément Langlet.
Penalty withdrawn
After 38 minutes, compact Eintracht thought they were on their way to making it 1-0 when referee Srdjan Jovanovic pointed to the penalty spot after an attack on Rafael Borré in the penalty area. But on the advice of the video assistant, the Serb checked his decision and revised it because Sergio Busquets had also played the ball in the action. It was goalless at half-time.
After the change, Eintracht got off to a dream start. A corner saved too short landed at Knauff, and the midfielder, on loan from Borussia Dortmund, hammered the ball into the corner from almost 20 meters. Marc-André ter Stegen in the visitors’ goal was powerless.
Pure joy: Ansgar Knauff celebrates the lead
What: REUTERS
Visiting coach Xavi Hernandez reacted immediately and brought in fresh attacking power in Ousmane Dembélé and Frenkie de Jong. That paid off immediately, as the duo prepared the equalizer through Torres in an exemplary manner. Trapp had no chance when the striker shot low. In the final phase, Frankfurt brought the partial success outnumbered over time.
“It was an incredible evening and a great experience for everyone involved in the stadium. We delivered a terrific game, allowed very little over 90 minutes. It’s a bit annoying that we didn’t take the win with us because we deserved it,” said goal scorer Knauff on RTL and announced: “Now we’ll see that we can go one round next week.”
