Eintracht Frankfurt is once again in the cup semi-finals. For Werder, however, it is extremely thick. First the anger about the game cancellation, then the cup knockout due to a controversial penalty. From now on, only the relegation battle counts for the penultimate.
Frankfurt / Main (dpa) - Eintracht Frankfurt has stormed into the semi-finals of the DFB Cup for the 14th time and has brought Werder Bremen the next sporting low blow.
A happy penalty after video evidence, which André Silva (45. + 6) turned into the lead in added time in the first half, paved the way for the Hessian Bundesliga team to win 2: 0 (1: 0). Daichi Kamada (60th minute) made the decision after the break. While Eintracht can still dream of the sixth cup triumph thanks to the success in front of 51,500 spectators, the Bremen team can now concentrate entirely on the Bundesliga relegation battle.
In the cup semifinals, however, Frankfurt has to do without top performers Filip Kostic, who saw the red card in stoppage time due to a rough foul on Ömer Toprak (90. + 1). Toprak had to be injured from the field.
The key scene of the game was the penalty for the hosts immediately before the break. In a header duel with Timothy Chandler, the ball jumped to Ludwig Augustinsson's hand, referee Felix Zwayer rated the action as a criminal offense after studying video. A tough decision that put Werder coach Florian Kohfeldt in a rage and also earned a yellow card.
The Bremen team had already traveled to Frankfurt in annoyance after the Bundesliga game between Werder and Frankfurt, which was originally scheduled for March 1, had been canceled. The background was the previous relocation of the Frankfurt Europa League game in Salzburg due to a hurricane. "In my view, a competitive disadvantage of one team has now become a disadvantage of another," said Bremen managing director Frank Baumann before the game.
The ongoing fan protests against the German Football Association and the German Football League were also an excitement in Frankfurt. "Our football is sold by you, your dialogue is just smoke and mirrors" or "The officials are the ugly face of football, not the fans", was written on the banners in the Eintracht fan curve. There was no direct abuse against Hoffenheim's patron Dietmar Hopp, but there were indications such as: "Dietmar Hopp, you son of a mother."
Perhaps not for the posters, but for burning pyrotechnics, both clubs should still be asked to pay. The Frankfurt fans shot their fireworks before the game, the Bremen team after half time.
Football was also played, but the entertainment value was limited for a long time. Both teams fought fiercely for every inch. Werder did not leave the impression of a relegation. The Hanseatic people looked for a chance from a secured defense and were dangerous with a header from Davie Selke (35.) and a shot from Maximilian Eggestein (42.). Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp was always there. On the other side, Silva (11th) and Martin Hinteregger (32nd) caused danger - before Frankfurt finally took the lead thanks to the penalty whistle.
With the 1-0 in the back you could play well. When Werder relaxed the defensive a bit, the Hessians struck ice cold. After a fine cross from Kostic, Kamada hit from close range.
Squad Eintracht Frankfurt
Squad Werder Bremen
