Eintracht Frankfurt missed Hertha BSC on the 19th match day of the Bundesliga. Eintracht won 3-0 (2-0) on Saturday (February 4th, 2023) against harmless Berliners who continue to stagger towards relegation.
The Europa League winner from Frankfurt (35 points) climbed up to fifth place and moved up to one point on the Champions League ranks.
After the fourth bankruptcy in the fourth game of the new year, Hertha is still in free fall and is second to last in the table with 14 points. The Berliners also remained in the third game in a row without their own goal.
Kolo Muani with a brace for Frankfurt before the break
Randal Kolo Muani put Frankfurt on course in the first half with his brace. The French international scored from the penalty spot in the 21st minute, seven minutes later he used Jesper Lindström’s well-considered assist to score Frankfurt’s second goal. Aurelio Buta made the final decision in added time with a well-placed shot from the edge of the penalty area.
One-way street football in Frankfurt
In front of 49,500 spectators, the game only went in one direction from the start – towards the goal of the Berliners. Eintracht immediately put pressure on without initially being able to create any clear chances. The guests were challenged almost exclusively on the defensive and were hardly able to set dangerous accents in attack. Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who prematurely extended his contract until 2026 on Friday, remained unemployed in the first half.
However, a penalty had to be used for the lead of the clearly superior hosts. Kolo Muani was brought down in the penalty area by Filip Uremovic and executed himself from the point. Just seven minutes later, the French vice world champion increased after fine preliminary work by Mario Götze and Lindström, who put it through to Kolo Muani.
Hertha with three new players at halftime, Frankfurt continues to set the tone
Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz reacted in the half-time break and sent three new players onto the field when the game started again. Maximilian Mittelstädt, Jessic Ngankam and newcomer Tolga Cigerci came into play. However, the Frankfurters continued to set the tone. However, two goals from Kolo Muani and Tuta were disallowed for offside.
Only after a good hour did the Berliners appear dangerously in front of the Eintracht goal for the first time. Substitute Ngankam shot and Tuta saved with a header on the line. Hertha now made the game more balanced without seriously endangering Frankfurt. The Europa League winners kept control and scored a third goal shortly before the end.
Frankfurt initially plays in the round of 16 of the cup
Eintracht continues next Tuesday (8.45 p.m.) with the round of 16 in the DFB Cup, where Frankfurt host second division Darmstadt 98.
In the Bundesliga, Eintracht will then play away at 1. FC Köln on Sunday (5.30 p.m.). Hertha BSC also welcomes Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday (3.30 p.m.).