Trainer denies middle finger gesture
© Imago
After the high flight in the Champions League, Eintracht Frankfurt crashed in everyday Bundesliga. The Hesse lost 3: 4 (1: 2) on the 4th matchday against the 1st FC Union Berlin and, due to the second season defeat, contact with league leaders Bayern Munich at an early stage. Due to the success, Union concluded in the table with six points to the league competitor.
In front of 59,500 spectators, Ilyas viewed (9th minute) and the outstanding Oliver Burke scored the goals for the combative and playfully convincing guests with a triple pack (32./53./56. The goals from Nathaniel Brown (45.+4), Can Uzun (80.) and Jonathan Burkardt (87./Foulelfmeter) were in the end too little for the Frankfurters, who were only able to build on the gala presentation in the premier class in a few moments.
Coach Steffen Baumgart had seen the red card shortly before the end of the regular season after he complained and kicked a paper ball on the lawn. TV pictures also showed how he briefly showed the middle finger towards the space after shaking a head. Baumgart denied this, however, to have done the gesture: “No”. However, he accepted the red card. “I was in the referee cabin, everything is fine,” said Baumgart at “DAZN”: “I’m sorry – or actually not because: I will not hold my emotions back.”
The game had to be interrupted just a few seconds after the kick-off because Eintracht fans threw paper balls on the lawn. When it really started, the home side set an early setback. Union striker came to the ball about 20 meters in front of the goal after a misunderstanding on the Frankfurt defensive and overcame Eintracht goalkeeper Kaua Santos with a placed shot.
For the 22 -year -old Brazilian, it was a very bad return after his cruciate ligament tear suffered in April. Eintracht trainer Dino Toppmöller had spread a lot of optimism before the game. “This is a boy with a sensationally good character who has had a difficult time. I think it is a special moment for him to be able to start the season now,” he said at “DAZN”.
The Hesse controlled the game, but compelling opportunities did not arise. The guests stood defensively compact and repeatedly set needles with occasional counterattacks, one of whom of harmony really hurt. After a Frankfurt throw -in deep in the Berlin half, the iron got the ball, which landed at Burke over three stations. The Scotsman ran towards the goal alone and completed ice cold.
Frankfurt took a while to recover from the shock and only came to the first big opportunity shortly before the break. According to Brown, Elye Wahi, who received the preference in front of Jonathan Burkardt in the storm, set the ball just next to the post by direct acceptance.
The following urge in the five -minute added time then led to success. Brown overcame Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow, who had worn the Eintracht jersey from 2018 to 2021, with a shot that was still slightly deflected by Uzun.
After the change, the swing was quickly back when Burke added twice for the Berliners. Both times, the Frankfurt defensive was once again not in the picture. Toppmöller then brought four fresh forces – that was a sign from outside for the catch -up hunting, which, despite the goal of Uzun and Burkardt, was no longer rewarded with one point.
Baumgart had been excited about the third Eintracht goal by Burkardt (87th) after video check because of the penalty. Leopold crossfield’s foul was controversial. Baumgart got upset, however, because in his opinion, the Bundesliga referees had no clear line on the subject: “That was a penalty, that is the rule – but then please every weekend.”