Eintracht Frankfurt is slowing itself down in the patience game against FC Augsburg due to its own mistakes. Three days after the cup knockout in Leipzig, the home series was broken with a 2-2 draw against Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
The Frenchman Hugo Ekitike (55th minute) initially got Frankfurt on track, but Phillip Tietz (60th) and Samuel Essende (71st) countered. Joker Can Uzun (74th) then saved the draw.
The disappointing 0:3 in the cup at RB Leipzig, the first defeat after nine games without defeat, was now followed by the end of the series of five home wins. Meanwhile, FCA only scored their second away point this season.
Dino Toppmöller, coach of Eintracht Frankfurt, said in the Sportschau interview: “We unpacked everything that was in the tank. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to win. In the end it was an absolute energetic performance.” Augsburg coach Jess Thorup said: “We did very well in a difficult away game. We are happy with a point and believe in the way we played.”
The second-place team appeared committed, but the strong rotation was noticeable in the game. Coach Dino Toppmöller initially rested his shooting stars Nathaniel Brown and Nnamdi Collins, while Fares Chaibi and Niels Nkounkou surprisingly started. The Brazilian Tuta played as a sixth man alongside Mahmoud Dahoud, one of five changes to the starting eleven. As usual, Frankfurt tried to control the game and switched quickly via Omar Marmoush and Ekitike; the only thing that was lacking in the early stages was precision.
Augsburg for a long time destruction mode, hardly any gaps for Frankfurt
The FCA was completely in destruction mode, especially in the first half, and the horror result of only one away point was reflected in the completely harmless offensive. But FCA did a good job defensively; Frankfurt’s poorly practiced midfield rarely found gaps. The danger arose from deep balls, such as Ansgar Knauff’s hasty lob (23′). It wasn’t until stoppage time in the first half that Frankfurt had its first real chance to take the lead: Nediljko Labrovic, back between Augsburg’s posts for cup hero Finn Dahmen, turned Knauff’s shot around the post with his fingertips (45’+1).
Goals only after the break – suddenly Augsburg is also playing
After the break, the SGE seemed more awake, an attempt by Chaibi (47th) was blocked at the last moment. A perfectly played attack was enough to take the lead: the good Knauff sent a cross to Ekitike, who scored from two meters.
But Augsburg responded out of nowhere and Tietz took advantage of a lack of attention in defense to equalize. Then Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp blacked out and brought Essende into position – suddenly the hosts were behind. Uzun, who had been substituted just two minutes earlier, saved Eintracht’s draw. Frankfurt was also the more offensive team in the final phase and pushed for the winning goal. FCA keeper Labrovic defused the last chance after Jean-Matteo Bayoha’s direct pass in stoppage time.
Frankfurt in Leipzig, Augsburg against Leverkusen
Eintracht has the top game in the Europa League at Olympique Lyon on Thursday (9 p.m.) before another away duel against Leipzig in the Bundesliga (Sunday, 7:30 p.m.). Augsburg is in demand at home against Leverkusen on Saturday (3:30 p.m.).