Nfter the bad 1:6 in the opening game against Bayern Munich, Frankfurt soccer teacher Oliver Glasner based his assessment on a teacher at school. “If you write a lot of ones and then a five, you’re not a five-student now,” said the Eintracht coach, wanting to correctly classify the unpleasant result. For Glasner, the bankruptcy at the start of the Bundesliga in a duel with the German champions belonged in the slip-up category and did not reflect the true value of his team.
The result on the second match day at Hertha BSC Berlin did not fully confirm his view. In the federal capital, too, Eintracht did not present themselves in the form that can be expected from them over the 90 minutes. After the last three successes in Berlin, the Europa League winner had to settle for a meager 1-1 this time. Daichi Kamada scored the Frankfurt goal to make it 1-1 (48th minute). Suat Serdar gave Hertha BSC a 1-0 lead early on (3rd).
Glasner’s team, which would like to be among the top six clubs in the final balance sheet, did not live up to its role as favorites, especially in the weaker first half. As a game mark, it was only enough for a three to four. After all, Eintracht, who is fourth from bottom in the table, was able to prevent a slight mood of crisis early in the season with the draw.
Discussions about penalty kicks
“We slept through the start and didn’t really get into the game,” said midfielder Djibril Sow. The liveliness was “missing a bit. But we came out of the half-time break very well,” said the Swiss international. “So we can build on the second half.”
A penalty taken back by referee Frank Willenborg shortly before the end of the game caused a stir. Hertha goalkeeper Oliver Christensen knocked Eintracht attacker Rafael Borré off his feet in the penalty area. There should also have been a touch. After viewing the video recordings, the referee revised his decision. Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp said after the conversation with Willenborg that he said he “didn’t want to whistle for a cucumber penalty”. For Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner it was a “clear penalty. If you break it down, the referee decided the game today. We’re not entirely happy,” he said. “But we have to accept it that way.”
Referee Willenborg later told Sky: “My perception on the field was that the goalkeeper takes the foot away from the striker. It seemed clear at first. However, my perception did not match the images from the video referee,” which is why he decided to watch the scene again from the sidelines. “I see in the pictures that there is a touch, but it is not the cause of the player falling. For me, that’s a streak.”
One touch: yes. But is that enough for a penalty? The referee finally said no.
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Image: Reuters
In the first division game number one without the leading player Filip Kostic, who had migrated to Juventus Turin and who was missed with his dynamic and power on the left, Glasner changed his staff vigorously against Hertha BSC. He played in a 3-5-2 system. Both attackers Randal Kolo Muani, who put in a strong performance, and Lucas Alario made their starting XI debuts. Borré, on the other hand, found himself in an unusual place: on the bench. The Colombian was joined by captain Sebastian Rode and Jesper Lindstrom.
