Europa League: Rapid draw between Frankfurt and Tottenham

With a good performance in London, Eintracht Frankfurt preserved the chance of the semi -finals in the Europa League.

Eintracht Frankfurt has earned and trembled a good starting point in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final at the Tottenham Hotspur. The game on Thursday in London did not find a winner, ended 1: 1 (1: 1), although both teams played for victory, the hosts in the second half. Hugo Ekitiké brought the Eintracht to the lead early (6th), Pedro Porro equalized at least as spectacular for the Spurs before the break (26th). Frankfurt’s goalkeeper Kaua Santos thwarted several big opportunities in the second round.

And it is already clear: the tension will be huge next Thursday when the decision is made at the showdown in the city forest – for two reasons. Firstly, because two teams of high quality will face each other again. On the other hand, because the outcome of the measurement measurement is completely open. “We can live very well with the result,” said Dino Toppmöller.

Strong Ekitiké refined strong Skhiri preparatory work

The Eintracht trainer had only made one change in the starting eleven compared to the Bremen bankruptcy, Rasmus Kristensen defended for Namdi Collins, and yet it felt like a completely different team on the field. Bitig, light awake, totally lit from the first few minutes. The intensity was high, both teams swept into the duels, tried to re -switch after ball gains. With success for Eintracht.

So Ellyes Skhiri developed the ball deep in his own half, fit it throughout the field and found Ekitiké. The Eintracht Express rolled off, outnumbered in three against six, but Ekitiké prevailed alone and shot the ball into the far corner from 20 meters (6th). A pretty thing, at the same time the fourth European Cup goal of the Frenchman this season.

Gaps on the right side

Following the tour, the Frankfurters were able to move the encounter to half of the Spurs for a few minutes, but after a quarter of an hour the hosts had in play. On the right defense side of Eintracht, top star Heung-Min Son made some difficulties to his opponent Kristensen. Again with success, this time for the English. Kristensen did not go back in time, Robin Koch and Skhiri did not find the duels, so Tottenhams Porro promoted a sharp cross with his hoe into the net (26th).

The very rapid game after then took a moment to breathe a moment, but the audience that fits loudly was still entertained. So shortly before the break, Ekitiké awarded the new Eintracht leaders (45th). The 1: 1 was still a performance -based result after 45 minutes.

Aluminum happiness and Kauma parades

From the catacombs of the hypermodern arena in northern London, however, the home side came much more active. And they awarded big chances every minute. Lucas Bergvall (55th) and Rodrigo Bentancur (57.) each met the aluminum, Son (56.) and James Maddison (58th) failed on the octopus-like Eintracht keeper Santos. The harmony, for its part, temporarily brought about a longer possession phase.

It was only when the chance quartet survived when the strong Santos had kept the Hesse that the draw did not slowly find it back into the second 45 minutes. Jean-Matteo Bahoya, who acted unhappily overall, and Ekitiké missed half chances. Further decent counter matters also left the guests quite lightly. In the final minutes, the risk to take risks on both sides, so that Santos only had to parry strongly once in injury time. In short: 90 exciting minutes are expected again next Thursday in Frankfurt. At least.