Split
Eintracht defies the torrential rains in the Gulf, presents itself in impressive early form and deservedly beats RB Leipzig 4-2 – Kolo Muani scores twice, US-Boy convinces.
Even torrential rain, which turned streets in Dubai into small rivers, could not stop Eintracht Frankfurt. The Bundesliga club from Hesse defeated their league competitor RB Leipzig 4-2 (1-2) at the training camp in the Persian Gulf. The first game of the new year, which was closed to the public and was declared an internal training game, started fifteen minutes late because Eintracht did not arrive in Abu Dhabi, 90 minutes away, on time – the streets were flooded, see above. The Frankfurters still played as if they were made of one piece.
When things finally got going on the Saxons’ training grounds, the Frankfurt team immediately took charge. After a fine free-kick, Jesper Lindström gave Eintracht the lead (7th). The bustling newcomer Paxten Aaronson had been fouled. The American, just 19, cuts a fine figure in his first game for his new club, was very invigorating, quick on his feet and traveling with a good sense of space. Of course one should not overestimate the first impression, but for the beginning it was very mannerly. The youngster also made up for his physical disadvantages with clever movements. promising.
Coach Oliver Glasner had ordered returnee Makoto Hasebe to the central position in the three-man defense, and Lucas Alario was the only striker up front. The Argentine put in a rather unremarkable performance, only heading in once on target. Unsuccessful.
But Leipzig hit back in the first round. It was ex-Eintracht striker André Silva who exploited two careless defences, 1-1 after 35 minutes, 1-2 after 45 minutes – game turned. Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp looked at least a little unhappy with both goals conceded.
In the second period coach Glasner changed completely and the offensive series with Mario Götze, Rafael Borré and of course Randal Kolo Muani presented Leipzig with unsolvable problems. The trio, supplemented by Ansgar Knauff, who also played cheekily, threw the current third in the Bundesliga quite a mess. It was therefore no coincidence that Borré equalized after 70 minutes with a flick in the corner.
Only a minute later, the Colombian hit the post, but Mario Götze carried the rebound to Kolo Muani, who scored the lead. The final point was again set by the furious French vice world champion, who used preparatory work by Knauff to make it 4:2 (84th). Eintracht Frankfurt, it has to be said, is in amazing early form in 2023, which is still young.
So the players played: Trapp (46. Ramaj) – Tuta (46. Toué), Hasebe (46. Smolcic), Ndicka (46. Chandler) – Ebimbe (46. Knauff), Kamada (46. Rode/85. Loune) , Sow (46. Jakic), Lenz (46. Pellegrini/67. Buta) – Lindström (46. Götze), Aaronson (46. Borre), Alario (46. Colombian).
Tore: 1:0 Lindström (7.), 1:1 Silva (35.), 1:2 Silva (45.), 2:2 Borré (70.), 3:2 Kolo Muani (71.), 4: 2 Kolo Muani (84.).
