Karabakh Agdam – Eintracht Frankfurt 3:2 (1:1)
Eintracht Frankfurt is the first German club from the Champions League eliminated. On the penultimate matchday of the league phase, Frankfurt lost 2:3 (1:1) at Qarabağ Ağdam in Azerbaijan and can therefore no longer progress in the tournament before the final game next week. On interim coach Dennis Schmitt’s debut, at least one point would have been enough to maintain the theoretical chance.
Three days after parting ways with coach Dino Toppmöller, Camilo Duràn (4th/80th) scored twice for the hosts, Bahlul Mustafazada (90th + 4) scored the decisive goal in stoppage time. Can Uzun (10th) and Farès Chaibi (78th/penalty) scored for Frankfurt. With just four points from seven games, Eintracht are behind 24th place, which entitles them to take part in the play-offs.
Without their own fans, who were not allowed to travel to Baku for the game, it took less than four minutes for the hosts to take the lead. Kaua Santos initially held off Leandro Andrade before Durán was able to convert the rebound. Shortly afterwards, Frankfurt came back. After a solo run by Ritsu Doan, Uzun got the ball and the attacker pushed it into the goal from 15 meters.
Schmitt was unable to get the defensive problems under control in his short time as coach; the central defenders appeared unsure. Eintracht was awarded a penalty late in the game. Substitute Chaibi converted confidently. Duràn then scored to equalize. With the last attack of the game, Mustafazada scored the victory.
The home game on the last match day against Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur is therefore insignificant for Frankfurt, while the Londoners are still playing for a direct place in the round of 16. Qarabağ will play against Liverpool FC next week.
He had a “good feeling, the team is relatively loose and relaxed,” said sports director Markus Krösche at DAZN before kick-off. “If we want to have a theoretical chance of reaching the knockout phase against Tottenham, we have to win.” When asked what Schmitt and assistant coach Alex Meier have been able to change since parting ways with Toppmöller, he said: “You can’t really do anything in such a short time. It’s important that we get the balance better.” It is still unclear who will be Toppmöller’s permanent successor.
At the same time, Galatasaray Istanbul and Atlético Madrid drew 1-1 (1-1).
This article is being updated.
