It was also exciting, but above all high-class: Eintracht Frankfurt made it through to the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup with a 4-2 (2-2) win over SV Darmstadt 98.
The Hesse derby between the winners of the Europa League and the leaders of the 2nd division captivated the spectators in the stadium and on the screens on Tuesday (February 7th, 2023). Outstanding players in the winner were the two-time scorer Randal Kolo Muani and Mario Götze.
“It was an annoying defeat because we conceded goals to Frankfurt,” said Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht in the sports show“the team has seen what mistakes can do at this level”.
Kolo Muani takes the “lilies” wind out of the sails
Darmstadt began briskly. “Wow, that was dangerous,” Eintracht Frankfurt tweeted after Mathias Honsak just missed a sharp cross from Marvin Mehlem, who was last suspended in the league, just before the goal.
But the Champions League round of 16 ensured that the first phase of the superior outsider was very short. After a quick attack down the right, Buta crossed perfectly to Randal Kolo Muani, who headed past Marcel Schuhen into the Darmstadt goal (6′).
Borré and Götze give good chances
Kolo Muani proved a little later that he too can prepare perfectly. His back pass to Rafael Borré, who played in place of the injured Jesper Lindström, was precise, but the Colombian missed a great chance from ten meters out (11′).
Mario Götze received an opportunity of similar quality based on a template from Philipp Max, with whom he had already played at PSV Eindhoven. However, Schuhen fended off the world champion’s shot with a splendid save (23′).
“Sure, I have to do that,” said Götze in an interview with Sportschau, who was enthusiastic about how his first months at Eintracht went.
Double strike by Honsak
The spectators in Riederwald saw an extremely attractive game with high speed and precise passing on the counterattack. In a short but very efficient phase, Darmstadt struck twice after quick attacks. Both goals were scored by Mathias Honsak (29′, 31′), who had already scored twice in the previous league game in the 4-0 win at SV Sandhausen.
The “Lilien” fans were delighted, while Eintracht fans were happy that the game had only been played for a good half hour. They were then able to celebrate before the break, because Borré made up for his missed shot by inserting a brilliant pass from Mario Götze from eight yards out (44′).
Kamada hits the goal, Tietz hits the post
The second half started a bit more subdued, but still at a high level. Eintracht dominated and converted that into another goal. Kolo Muani headed in for Daichi Kamada, who made it 3-2 from about 16 yards out.
Now the game was back on temperature – and Darmstadt was close to equalizing. Phillip Tietz hit the post from close range (66′).
The second division team kept up well until the end, even if Eintracht had a few chances to lessen the tremors of the fans. The decision was only made when Kolo Muani scored the 4:2 after a counterattack in the 90th minute.
A draw will be made on February 19 against who Frankfurt will play in the quarter-finals.
Frankfurt now in Cologne
Eintracht continues in the Bundesliga on Sunday (02/12/2023) with a game at 1. FC Köln. Darmstadt plays in the 2nd division against Eintracht Braunschweig on the same day.