Eintracht Frankfurt has performed magic in the Andalusian cauldron and is dreaming of even more magical nights. Eintracht won their round of 16 first leg in the Europa League at Betis Sevilla on Wednesday 2-1 (2-1) and can reach the last eight with a draw next Thursday.
Thousands of Frankfurt fans celebrated the goals of Filip Kostic (15th), who practically crossed the ball into the net, and Daichi Kamada (32nd) in the atmospheric Estadio Benito Villamarin. The Japanese immediately countered the interim equalization of French world champion Nabil Fekir (30th) after a bad Betis misstep. Rafael Borré (52nd) also missed a hand penalty.
“I’m really proud,” said goalkeeper Kevin Trapp on “RTL +”. “How dominant we were, how confident we were – it’s almost a shame that we didn’t win higher.”
The impressive stadium, hardly any corona restrictions, sunshine – it was paradise not only for the at least 5000 Eintracht fans who loved to sing. He himself was “there like a little kid, I’m so happy,” said coach Oliver Glasner in advance.
However, the 138th European Cup game in Eintracht’s history was a tricky one. With astonishingly high pressing, the Frankfurters tried to unsettle the strong Real Betis Balompie, sorted in 3-4-3. The lead came from winning the ball: Kostic’s cross between a cross and a shot on goal sank perfectly into the corner.
Betis felt forced to go on the offensive, Eintracht willingly withdrew a little – they were compact and secure with the eleven in the most recent 4-1 win at Hertha BSC. Fekir in the central Betis midfield did not yet radiate the usual danger. But then he hit his first successful move from the right with his left, but Kamada immediately put the lid on the bubbling cauldron after a perfect pass from Jesper Lindström.
Frankfurt misses numerous great opportunities
Eintracht remained very concentrated defensively, but Borré brought the crowd back into the game with his weak penalty. Sevilla’s goalkeeper veteran Claudio Bravo, who had already been whistled at by his own fans because of uncertainties, easily parried the Colombian’s limp shot.
Kostic (62’/90’+3′) and again Borré (65’/67′) missed further big chances, so Eintracht failed to knock out the heavily estimated Spanish fifth in the table in the first leg. Betis continued to disappoint, even the prospect of a “half” home final didn’t seem to unleash any special powers.
The final will be played a few kilometers north on May 18 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium of Betis archrivals and Europa League record winners Sevilla FC. “Of course we all wish to travel here again soon,” said Borré.