Gloss parade shortly before the end
© Imago
Three days after the bitter Europe-out, Eintracht Frankfurt only fought one point for a Champions League place in an exchange of blows with FC Augsburg after the break. At the comeback of Captain Kevin Trapp in the goal, the Hesse had to be satisfied with a 0-0 on Easter Sunday in the Bundesliga.
Both teams could have taken the winner in front of 30,660 spectators in the sold -out Augsburg arena. The FCA, which was so strong in the second half of the season, determined the first half and recorded a post hit (67th minute) by the substitute attacker Mergim Berisha. In the end, the tie in their own stadium was not a Big Point in the fight for moving into international business.
The Frankfurters, on the other hand, continue to be the third in the table with 52 points four game days before the end of the season. And in the second half there would have been even more for the Hesse. After the substitution of the agile Ansgar Knauff suddenly went much more in the forward gear.
What was missing was the crowning glory. In a clarification attempt by Augsburg’s defender Cédric Zesiger, the ball bounced off the body of Eintracht-professional Rasmus Kristensen to the post (54.). With a grandiose tackle in the penalty area, the more secure 0: 1 from Knauff (69) prevented.
And FCA goalkeeper Finn Dahmen kept twice shiny, only with a shot by Hugo Ekitiké (77th), then at a header from Tuta (81.). The 34-year-old Trapp, in turn, showed his greatest rescue act when he was able to steer a shot by FCA-Joker Philipp Tietz to the corner (87th).
In the beginning, on the other hand, the Eintracht professionals were extremely difficult to get 70 hours after the bitter Europe. Before the game at the streaming service DAZN, coach Dino Toppmöller had spoken of “a bitter challenge”, who had to master his team after the 0: 1 against Tottenham Hotspur and the injuries to goalkeeper Kaua Santos (cruciate ligament tear) and Mario Götze (muscle).
The Augsburg dominated. Not only were they fresher, they also seemed a bit more bite in the duels and more determined, even if the crowning campaign was missing, for example when striker Samuel dining end (19th). In front of the goal of Trapp it was not only difficult in this scene.
In the forward gear, the guests went astonishingly little with the guests before the break. Ekitiké and storm partner Michy Bathshuayi did not appear. The latter was then replaced by trainer Toppmöller by Ansgar Knauff. The fast attacker revived the hessen offensive game that had been wasted until then. Knauff had a good chance, but did not hit the ball (50th). The same was repeated at Knauff after a counterattack on Nathaniel Brown (63.).