Dhe analysis after the depression deep in the West was relentless. “We weren’t good enough in all respects and played a bad game.” The worst of all this season so far, and Markus Krösche, Eintracht’s sports director, was also very disappointed because between two highlight games in the Champions League in the core business Bundesliga really didn’t fit. 0:3 at VfL Bochum – it was a debacle for the weak Frankfurt soccer professionals on Saturday and their scolding and frustrated coach Oliver Glasner.
“We always have to get one hundred percent,” said Krösche. On Saturday, the range of services fluctuated between 50 and 60 percent. Glasner was fully served after the third loss of the season. The Eintracht coach spoke of a “very bitter defeat, for which I take full responsibility today”. His decision to switch defensively from a back three to a back four proved to be a fallacy. “The system migration did not work.”
Not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of personnel, there were changes in the Frankfurt team compared to the strong premier class game against Tottenham. Makoto Hasebe was given a creative break, as coach Glasner had already indicated immediately after the Japanese’s brilliant performance against the English. Hasebe didn’t even make the trip to Bochum. His creative involvement is in demand again next Wednesday in the second leg in London. Hasebe’s compatriot Daichi Kamada was at least there deep in the West – but his place was initially on the substitutes’ bench.
Eintracht Frankfurt disappointed
Back in the starting XI was Mario Götze, who had recovered from his ankle injury – and a man who had set himself so high goals for this October 8th: Lucas Alario. For the stormy Argentinian, only the second starting eleven this season on this sunny October Saturday in Bochum’s Ruhrstadion was something very special: Alario was 30 years old. With the power and experience of a veteran Bundesliga player, Alario could have even scored a goal in the first half. But he lacked fortune (23rd minute).
Anyone who had hoped for an offensive spectacle by Eintracht at the bottom of the table was bitterly disappointed. Glasner’s team lacked a lot, including and above all penetrating power. The most conspicuous professional, at least in the first half of the game, was the man with the number 1 on his back: VfL goalkeeper Manuel Riemann. The Bochum goalkeeper, known for his excursions, repeatedly intervened in the build-up play of his teammates. Once he even appeared at the level of the center line.
For Bochum there is light at the end of the tunnel again.
:
Image: dpa
Eintracht’s performance was disappointing. Coach Glasner repeatedly grumbled about the inadequacies and weaknesses of his players. Even the technically gifted Götze was unable to put Riemann under pressure with his shot (43′). The ball flew wide and high past the right post. Kevin Trapp, who took over management duties as Frankfurt captain for Sebastian Rode, who was initially on the bench, had his unfortunate scene when he didn’t hit the ball properly and owed a corner. But VfL didn’t know what to do with it, just like Gerrit Holtmann just before the break, who only managed to get a shot.
Because Hasebe was missing, there was the expected tactical change to a back four on the defensive. Kristijan Jakic was finally allowed to play classically as a right-back again. However, the Croatian did not always fulfill the tasks assigned to him to the satisfaction of his scolding coach. Evan Ndicka also made some slight blunders in central defence. And Luca Pellegrini on the far left offered a wide range of appearances.
After the change of sides, things could only get better from a Frankfurt perspective. But things got even worse. Glasner decided to take Jakic out of the game. He was replaced by the variable Timothy Chandler. After an hour it was rotated again. Götze and Djibril Sow made room for Kamada and Rode. Three minutes later, the biggest chance for Eintracht came from a tumult in the penalty area. Rafael Borre was unlucky. His twist shot hit the post.
In the 71st minute, VfL took the lead through Philipp Hofmann. His header after a corner by Philipp Förster was unstoppable for Trapp. The majority of the 24,850 spectators in the Ruhr Stadium were delighted – and the joy grew even greater when Kamada’s supposed equalizing goal was rightly denied due to an offside position (80′).
After that, the powerful Bochum team struck courageously, decisively and decisively. In the 87th minute it was Förster whose free kick was touched slightly by Evan Ndicka and went past Trapp. Förster, who had an easy time of it because the watching Frankfurt defense let him do it, was responsible for the third stroke. With a well-placed shot in the direction of the left goal corner, the Bochum player gave the unnerved Trapp no chance.
Incidentally, Trapp and Tuta fought a verbal and tactile skirmish around the Bochum goals. This, too, announced Glasner after the end of the game, will have consequences. “There will be clear words,” said the Frankfurt coach. He will need many words to get the side back on track for the second leg against Tottenham.
