Ndicka’s solid game and Aaron Cresswell’s huge mistake. Find the tops and flops of the editorial staff after Frankfurt qualified for the Europa League Final (1-0).
TOPS
Evan Ndicka, the Frankfurt wall
The strong man on the Frankfurt side is undoubtedly him. Evan Ndicka had a great match against West Ham (1-0), where he stood up to Michail Antonio. Several times in the duel with the Jamaican, he was able to win despite the injury of his teammate Martin Hinteregger and made three interceptions. He also won the majority of his duels and literally saved Frankfurt on Zouma’s recovery just before halftime.
Rafael Borré, decisive at the right time
The 26-year-old Colombian perfectly takes the ball from teammate Ansgar Knauff and allows Frankfurt to play with a two-goal margin. Already a passer in the first leg, the former River Plate striker really weighed on the defense and could even have doubled the lead at the start of the second half. He is replaced by Gonçalo Paciência at 83, also very interesting.
Michail Antonio, alone with people around
If there is one hammer to reward tonight is him. At 32, the Jamaican multiplied his efforts to try to equalize. Too often alone, we saw him overflowing on the sides to offer crosses but it was useless since no one was following. His game is really good but Cresswell’s red card causing Lanzini’s exit hurt the number 9 far too much.
Read alsoEuropa League: Frankfurt mates West Ham and secures a place in the final
FLOPS
Aaron Cresswell, bring in the accused
Aaron Cresswell has an original collection: that of red cards. Already excluded in the quarter-finals against Olympique Lyonnais, the left side simply sealed the match by stupidly tackling Jens Petter Hauge who went on goal in the 19th minute. His exclusion forces Manuel Lanzini to give up his place to bring Ben Johnson into defense, this will not be enough to keep the score and even less to score.
Martin Hinteregger, returned too soon
This is the little snag of the evening on the Frankfurt side. Austrian defender Martin Hinteregger went off injured in the 8th minute. Holder in the first leg, he was absent last weekend for the trip to Leverkusen but worked hard to hold his place this evening. Unfortunately, number 13 injured his adductors on his first contact with Antonio and had to give up his place. It remains to be seen if he will be able to hold his place on May 18 for the final in Seville.
