Eintracht Frankfurt achieved its first away win in the current Bundesliga season and put a damper on the dream starters of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
The Hessians won 3-1 (3-1) against the Kraichgauer team and moved within two points of TSG coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team in the table. For Matarazzo it was the 100th game as Bundesliga coach.
Maximilian Beier gave Hoffenheim, who had the best Bundesliga start in their club history with 15 points from the previous seven games, the lead in the third minute. The strong Omar Marmoush (11th), Ansgar Knauff (23rd) and Ellyes Skhiri (45th + 3) turned the game, which was initially spectacular but had little chance after the break, in favor of the guests.
Wild start
Both teams offered the 30,150 spectators the best entertainment in the first half. In a wild opening phase, the goalkeepers were the focus – and, strangely enough, even prepared a goal each. First Beier gave the hosts an early lead after a long shot from TSG keeper Oliver Baumann, then Marmoush scored on the other side after a long ball from Frankfurt goalkeeper Jens Grahl. He replaced national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who returned from the DFB team’s trip to America with back problems and was unable to play at short notice.
The game remained fast-paced and intense. The lively Marmoush in particular was a constant source of trouble and made Hoffenheim defender John Anthony Brooks look bad on several dribbles. In the 19th minute, the Egyptian’s header was denied by Baumann, who reacted strongly. Shortly later, Knauff slotted the ball over the line to make it 1-2, following preparatory work from the equally eye-catching Fares Chaibi. The Frankfurt team, where Mario Götze was not in the squad due to the birth of his second child, tried to follow up immediately. But TSG also continued to have their chances.
Skhiri with the decision
After almost half an hour, Grischa Prömel had the great opportunity to make it 2-2, but put the ball right next to the goal. In stoppage time in the first half, the Hessians combined to move forward again after TSG defender Pavel Kaderabek lost the ball – and Skhiri scored from a tight angle to make it 1:3.
TSG coach Matarazzo reacted at half-time and brought on Kevin Akpoguma instead of Brooks to stabilize the defense. Eintracht, who will face HJK Helsinki in the Conference League on Thursday, were no longer looking for a way forward anyway. Instead, Robert Skov tested Frankfurt keeper Grahl on the other side with a powerful free kick (59′). As a result, Eintracht left almost nothing to burn.