Eintracht Frankfurt threatens to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Coach Adi Hütter’s team lost the first leg at Benfica Lisbon 2-4 (1-1). The return match will take place next Thursday at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt.
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Benfica coach Lage surprised with some players in the starting eleven who did not play a big role in his rotation for several weeks. The lack of playing practice was noticeable: The Portuguese did not cope with the high level of pressing of the SBU. Benfica seldom played forward in a controlled manner and at times had a pass rate of less than 80 percent.
In the 20th minute, however, the brash appearance of the Frankfurters took revenge, when Rode and Fernandes attacked in the group, but were overplayed. A room opened up in the centre, which Benfica optimally played on. N’Dicka stopped Gedson Fernandes with both hands – sending-off and penalty kick. Benfica talent turned Felix.
It took Frankfurt until the 39th minute to get back dangerously to Vlachodimos’ goal. One minute later Jovic made up for it after great preparatory work by Rebic. However, the 1-1 draw was only three minutes long: Felix shot from a distance to take the lead again, Trapp did not look good.
Shortly after the side change, Benfica made the preliminary decision with a double strike. Both goals were too easy. Frankfurt gave the Portuguese too much space, which the Portuguese used better and better with increasing playing time. With De Guzman’s change for Jovic a good 30 minutes before the end, Hütter signaled: “Don’t catch another goal.
Thanks to Paciencia’s header, Frankfurt can still hope for progress. In the second leg, Frankfurt will need at least two goals in front of their home crowd; a 2-0 or 3-1 win would be enough for the semi-finals.
Goals: 1:0 Joao Felix (21./FE), 1:1 Jovic (40.), 2:1 Joao Felix (43.), 3:1 Ruben Dias (50.), 4:1 Joao Felix (54.), 2:4 Paciencia (72.)
At 19 years, 5 months and one day, Joao Felix is now the youngest triple packer in the history of the Europa League – replacing Marko Pjaca, who did this for Dinamo Zagreb at the age of 19 years, 7 months and 5 days.
Kevin Trapp last conceded four or more goals in a 6-1 draw with PSG in Barcelona in the legendary CL return leg of the last sixteen in March 2017.
German record set: Only Bremen 2009/10 scored as many goals as Frankfurt (26) of all German teams in a complete European League season.
Shown what Adi Hütter meant when he talked about Felix as a century talent. He kept his nerve on the penalty kick with three of his five shots on target. And with Ruben Dias as his assistant when he won the header duel against Jovic on the short post.
Did his crew a disservice when he flew off the field with red after knocking over Gedson Fernandes as the last man with both hands. Previously showed a good defensive performance, but was far too impetuous in that duel.
Showed Jovic the yellow card early (2.). His foul was tactical, but the severity of the decision was not commensurate with Taylor’s later penalty. The penalty kick was undisputed. Also the red card for N’Dicka was absolutely compliant, because he never tried to play the ball. At the supposed 2:2 by Kostic (45.+2), Da Costa was close in the offside and blocked Vlachodimos the view – right decision not to give the goal.
