Europa League winner Eintracht Frankfurt has inflicted the first defeat of the season on leaders Union Berlin. The Iron lost 0:2 (0:2) in the Hessians.
Oliver Ruhnert didn’t beat around the bush for long. “We made too many mistakes, especially in the first half. We invited the opponent,” commented the manager of leaders Union Berlin on Sky about the first bankruptcy of the season in the Bundesliga. The Köpenickers lost 0:2 (0:2) at Eintracht Frankfurt.
“We weren’t really in the game, it wasn’t the Union that we want to be and how we want to score,” added Ruhnert. World Cup hero Mario Götze (12th) and Jesper Lindström (42nd) shot the strong Hessians into the leading group.
After the late replacement of the 2014 World Cup hero, those responsible at Eintracht Frankfurt gave the all-clear. “No one ran around the dressing room with the alarm siren,” said coach Oliver Glasner. He assumes that Götze will be back by Tuesday’s third group game in the Champions League against Tottenham Hotspur. “I don’t think it’s that bad,” said sports director Markus Krösche.
However, Union’s run of success at national level has come to an end. Three days after Fischer’s contract extension, the Köpenicker hardly developed, even after yellow-red against the strong Frankfurt Randal Kolo Muani (68th, repeated foul play).
Meanwhile, special praise was paid sky Eintracht sports director Markus Krösche to his keeper Kevin Trapp, who had once again been a strong support for his team: “Kevin has been the best German goalkeeper for weeks and months.” An assessment by Krösche also with a view to the World Cup in Qatar, where Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer should actually be number one.
Frankfurt – Union: Lindstrom’s dream goal decides the game
On Saturday, however, the main focus was on “Eisern Union”, the surprise leader. With the extension with Fischer, Union had initially set another positive sign on Wednesday.
In front of 50,500 fans, however, the guests got off to the worst possible start. After a controlled start, the Berliners were caught cold, Götze completed Eintracht’s first attack right away after preliminary work by Kolo Muani, who had previously left all opponents standing.
Union struggled with the deficit, the dreaded switching game hardly came to light – Fischer could not be satisfied. Coach Oliver Glasner’s team made a good impression before the Champions League duel on Tuesday (9 p.m.) with Tottenham Hotspur, but missed the second goal through Luca Pellegrini (22nd).
Apart from a long-range shot (28th) by Janik Haberer, Fischer’s team was pale before the break and deservedly lagged behind. Frankfurt, on the other hand, kept coming up with something offensive: Pellegrini (36′) first hit the crossbar before Lindström crowned a fantastic solo run with a two-goal lead.
Union became more active in the second half, but Fischer’s eleven rarely got into dangerous situations due to the disciplined Frankfurt team. After one of the few good attacks, Trapp saved against Haberer, Niko Gießelmann put the margin over it (55th).
Fischer reacted and brought on Sven Michel, Paul Seguin and Kevin Behrens for more offensive power in the closing stages. After Kolo Muani’s dismissal, the guests drew hope again. Frankfurt always provided relief with counterattacks.
Eintracht Frankfurt – Union Berlin: The voices
Oliver Glasner (Eintracht Frankfurt coach): “It was a deserved win for 90 minutes. It was a focused performance, we were always alert on the defensive, controlled the pace. We were calm and then kept pushing the pace change. That was very good. After the exclusion we defended with everything we have.”
Urs Fischer (Coach Union Berlin): “We were good for the first ten minutes, then it got less. Then Frankfurt put the basics on the pitch in the way we actually imagine. We didn’t get the basics on the pitch that usually characterize us. Frankfurt was more alert, faster and sharper. That’s why Frankfurt deserved the win.”
Eintracht Frankfurt – Union Berlin: The data for the game
