Double pack from Götze
© Imago
Eintracht Frankfurt crowned a magical football evening with the move into the quarter-finals of the Europa League and can continue to dream of a triumph like 2022. Thanks to two dream goals by Mario Götze, the Bundesliga club prevailed 4-1 (2-0) in the round of 16 second leg against the Dutch record champions and leaders Ajax Amsterdam. After the 2-1 in the first leg, Frankfurt is among the last eight teams three years ago.
In front of 57,500 spectators in the sold-out Frankfurter Arena, Jean-Mattéo Bahoya scored in the 7th minute, Götze (25th/82nd) and Hugo Ekitiké (67.) The hits for the strongly evapping Hesse, for which the Europa trip on April 10th and April 17th in the quarter-finals against Tottenham Hotspur continues. Kenneth Taylor’s goal (78th) was easy to get over there.
There had been a bad news a few hours before the kick -off. Stammtorwart Kevin Trapp had to cancel his commitment at short notice due to a shin violation and will also be missing in Bochum at the weekend. For the 34-year-old, the Brazilian Kauã Santos moved between the posts and delivered an error-free performance.
The Bundesliga-Tabellen fourth was also missing the injured Arthur Theat and the blocked Namdi Collins. For this, defense chief Robin Koch came to the train after recovered infection and the Nathaniel Brown, closed in Amsterdam. Otherwise, Frankfurt’s coach Dino Toppmöller relied on the staff from the first leg.
Ajax coach Francesco Farioli, on the other hand, surprised with a mega rotation and changed his starting XI compared to the first duel a week earlier to nine positions. Apparently he wanted to protect his regular staff for the title fight in the Eredivisie.
Eintracht Frankfurt starts lively against Ajax
After the last three Bundesliga bankruptcy in series, Eintracht showed its better European face again. From the beginning, the home side checked the game and rewarded themselves with the early lead at the first promising attack. After a magic pass from Ekitiké, Bahoya freely appeared in front of the Ajax goal and gave guest goalkeeper Matheus a chance.
The goal ensured even more confidence and security among the hosts. Ekitiké could have placed 2-0, but did not hit the ball properly. Götze did that. The 2014 World Cup hero elegantly accepted a precise chip flank from Koch with his chest and thought about it.
The guests were outnumbered at the time because Daniele Rugani was treated outside the field because of a bleeding head wound. The Italian had contracted the injury in the event of a collision with a team -mate and then continued with a bathing cap as protection.
Although not everything ran smoothly, Eintracht also convinced with a wit and beautiful combinations. Rasmus Kristensen had the third goal on his foot, but failed with a tight shot from the penalty area on the well -reacting math.
Shortly before the break, Santos was able to distinguish himself and did so twice confidently. Although the guests played a little more courageously after the change, they could not bring the Bundesliga club into embarrassment. On the contrary: after a beautiful solo and Götze, Ekitiké scored the crowning final point with a Schlenzer from around 40 meters.