Eintracht Frankfurt convinced in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. The Hessians had the big FC Barcelona under control and even led. But in the end it wasn’t enough to win.
The rousing “Euro-Adler” may be heading for a sensation again in their favorite competition. In the breathtakingly loud quarter-final first leg of the Europa League, Eintracht Frankfurt beat the actually overpowering FC Barcelona 1-1 (0-0) and can dream of the semi-finals like in the furious triumph of 2019.
Yellow-red for Tuta
If the chances had been better exploited, an even better result would have been possible, but Ferran Torres (66th) was able to equalize after a dream goal from Frankfurt by Ansgar Knauff (47th). Eintracht defender Tuta saw the yellow-red card for repeated foul play (82nd).
“We delivered a terrific game and allowed very little in the entire 90 minutes,” said Dortmund loanee Knauff on the RTL microphone: “It’s almost a bit annoying that we didn’t take the win with us. But everything is for the second leg possible.”
The five-time Champions League winner from Spain played dominantly, but there were few top-class opportunities. So the Catalans even have to tremble for their European consolation prize. For the SGE it still needs a magical night for the dream goal of semi-finals next Thursday in the legendary Camp Nou, every win after 90 or 120 minutes or a triumph on penalties is enough.
Germany’s national player Marc-André ter Stegen and his FC Barcelona struggled for a long time in Frankfurt. (Source: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)
48,000 spectators in Frankfurt
Coach Oliver Glasner had exuded confidence before the unequal duel. “We played 2-1 and 0-1 against Bayern this season, so in a knockout game we’d be in overtime. If you can do it against Bayern, you can do it against Barcelona.” In return, Glasner trusted his team that had proven his worth recently, only defender Martin Hinteregger returned to the starting XI after his yellow card suspension in the league for Makoto Hasebe.
The defense was also challenged right away, Ferran Torres forced national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in front of the eyes of national coach Hansi Flick from a distance after just 130 seconds to make a brilliant save. The game immediately picked up speed in front of 48,000 enthusiastic spectators, because Eintracht also bravely got involved in the first duel between the two teams.
Knauff’s dream goal
Knauff (4th) and Filip Kostic (5th) fired the first warning shots before Djibril Sow, completely free-standing, pushed the ball past the left post from seven yards. Barca kept trying his infamous tiki-taka, but SBU defended sacrificially. If a ball slipped through, Trapp showed himself to be a secure backup – just like when ex-Dortmund player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (17th) tried from an acute angle.
Frankfurt also continued to pinprick offensively. However, accuracy was often lacking, and promising switching situations were played out too hastily. A penalty kick after Sergio Busquets allegedly fouled Rafael Borre was taken back (39′). The stadium was finally boiling and Eintracht brought the energy from the ranks to the pitch in the second half.
Under-21 international Knauff got a dream shot into the top corner from 20 yards out, less than 60 seconds later Jesper Lindström (49′) missed the double. The Glasner team repeatedly embarrassed Barca, while Xavi’s team, who had recently regained their strength, found their teeth hard on Eintracht’s passionate defence. But then Torres scored out of nowhere.