Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig turned up the heat in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Both teams were able to win their semi-finals, letting the dream of a German final live.
This is what pure joy looks like: Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ansgar Knauff jumped up after his goal to make it 1-0 against West Ham United. The start of the 2-1 victory at the Olympic Stadium in London. The final in the Europa League is just as tangible for Oliver Glasner’s team as it is for Domenico Tedesco’s team. Leipzig were also able to beat Glasgow Rangers 1-0 and can dream of the German final.
That hasn’t been the case for 42 years. At that time Eintracht with professionals like Charly Körbel and Bernd Hölzenbein was able to win against Borussia Mönchengladbach with players like Lothar Matthäus and Ewald Lienen. In a gripping first leg in Mönchengladbach, Borussia won 3-2, in the second leg Frankfurt triumphed 1-0 and, thanks to the away goals rule, won the Uefa Cup title for the 1979/80 season.
Fred Schaub and Frankfurt Eintracht were Uefa Cup winners in 1980. (Source: Laci Perenyi / imago images)
The European final being held on neutral ground was not introduced until the 1997/98 season. After that there was only one German meeting in the Champions League between the last two teams: Dortmund and Bayern (1:2) in 2013.
“Are half a leg in the final”
What Eintracht and Leipzig can currently do and achieve is historic. Frankfurt President Peter Fischer said after the game on RTL: “I can’t understand anyone who wasn’t a Eintracht fan on the station today.” Leipzig’s club boss Oliver Mintzlaff also said after the Saxon game on RTL+: “It was difficult, but we now have a small lead when we go to Glasgow next week. We’re in the final with half a leg – and then you want to you get a title too.”
While Knauff put Frankfurt ahead in the first minute, RB had to wait until the 85th minute. Only then were the Saxons redeemed by full-back Angeliño. For Leipzig it remained with the one goal. Frankfurt bounced back after their opponents equalised, but thanks to Daichi Kamada’s goal in the 54th minute, they secured a chance for the second leg and a glimmer of hope for the final. Advantage for Frankfurt: In the coming week we will go to our own stadium. RB have to prove themselves away from home, but could also show Europe how good they are after reaching the DFB Cup final.
“I’m sure my players can handle that,” said Tedesco when asked about the atmosphere at Ibrox Stadium. Eintracht coach Glasner also said: “You can only compliment the players. A lead before the second leg is always good.” If both teams manage to assert themselves, that would be a sign for German football in Europe.