Conference League: Eintracht Frankfurt concedes last-minute compensation in Sofia

In injury time, Eintracht Frankfurt gambled away the victory they thought was certain at Levski Sofia and at the same time lost the very good starting position for the second leg of the playoffs. A dream goal by the home side becomes a Frankfurt nightmare.

Eintracht Frankfurt missed a big step towards the group stage of the Conference League on Thursday (08/24/2023). Coach Dino Toppmöller’s team did not get more than 1-1 (1-0) at Levski Sofia despite being in the lead well into injury time. Randal Kolo Muani put the Hessians in the lead early (6th minute), Hassimi Fadiga equalized with a dream goal from 25 meters (90+5).

Kolo Muani takes the lead

Eintracht, who had started against the Bulgarian Cup winners with a back four and plenty of offensive drive, got off to a good start in the atmospheric national stadium. Omar Marmoush, who had slipped into the starting eleven for Jesper Lindström, captured the ball in the opponent’s penalty area after perfect pressing behavior and also kept an overview when making the change. Via Eric Junior Dine Ebimbe, who was allowed to play in central midfield this time, and Mario Götze landed the ball with Kolo Muani, who pushed in for an early lead without any problems.

A perfect start that didn’t change anything in the course of the game. Overall, the team coached by Dino Toppmöller, who, in comparison to the 1-0 work win against Darmstadt 98, had brought on the very active Jens Petter Hauge and the often overwhelmed Aurelio Buta from the start, was more calm and mature. However, the hosts were unimpressed and could have scored as well.

Ronaldo misses a huge chance

Jawad El Jemili first curled a free kick over the bar from a promising position (20′), then Ronaldo should have equalized (38′).

After a nice pass from his Brazilian compatriot, the Levski Sofia striker showed that although his name is like a big one, he’s probably not a big one. Instead of pushing the ball from a meter into the empty goal, he shot it into the arms of Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp, who had already been beaten, and thus saved Eintracht from a much more complicated task. A crazy scene and the last significant action of the first half.

The highlight comes at the very end

Not much changed even after the restart. The hosts continued to try everything and made life difficult for Eintracht, the Hessians tried to control and increasingly relied on counterattacks. There was a lot of commitment and will on both sides, but there weren’t any top-class opportunities for a long time. Once Hauge stumbled in a promising position and after nice preliminary work by the very conspicuous Marmoush (52′), another time Robin Koch headed well over it after a corner (65′).

The final phase, in which Kolo Muani was able to take it easy and, after being substituted (67th), mentally prepare for Paris or Mainz, had a special highlight in store. When everything pointed to a victory for the Hessians and everyone was actually just waiting for the final whistle, substitute Fadiga plucked up courage and overcame Eintracht goalkeeper Trapp with an unbelievable long-range shot.

Eintracht’s starting position isn’t that bad, but the last-minute equalizer should give the Bulgarians a good tailwind. It continues next Thursday (8.30 p.m.) in Frankfurt.