Eintracht Frankfurt has stopped the crisis mood on the Main for the first time with an intoxicating performance in the European Cup, especially in the first half, and set course for the knockout round.
The Bundesliga team prevailed 3-1 (2-1) at home on Thursday evening against the Greek record champions Olympiacos Piraeus and took the lead in Group D of the Europa League.
Frankfurt / Main - Rafael Borré took the lead in the 26th with a penalty kick.
After the equalizer shortly afterwards by Youssef El-Arabi (30th) with a hand penalty, Almamy Touré (45th + 3) brought back the front before the break in front of 35,000 spectators.
Daichi Kamada (59th) made the decision.
With the second win in the third game in the Europa League, coach Oliver Glasner's team also gave an answer to the desperate appearance in the championship last against Hertha BSC.
Piraeus had not lost a game in all competitions this season.
The eleven against Piraeus, which was almost half the size compared to the 1: 2 against the ailing club in the capital, only needed a few minutes. But then the all-black-clad Eintracht field players determined the game and increased the pressure on the goal of the guests, who had come as two-time group winners and group leaders. Borré initially failed in a double with his head, but he did not let the chance take away from the penalty spot. He had been fouled by Pape Abdou Cissé when he rumbled while falling against the Colombian.
The tour just didn't last long. Piraeus, which until then had not been able to put keeper Kevin Trapp's goal in danger, was also given a penalty. After a cross, Kristijan Jakic's hand went to the ball. Although Trapp stretched into the right corner, he could not parry the tightly shot penalty from El-Arabi.
There was nothing left of the rather uneventful opening minutes with a focus on midfield work. Even after the equalizer, the Frankfurters pushed for the new lead, driven by Filip Kostic, as with a nice direct purchase from Touré (38th). The Hessians accepted the risk of leaving the guests room for quick counterattacks and scored the second goal immediately before the break. At first, a header from Martin Hinteregger only hit the crossbar, before the Frankfurters combined worth seeing in the opposing penalty area and unlocked Touré.
It came as no surprise that Piraeus was pressed after the break.
However, the Greeks did not achieve the absolutely compelling chances, while Eintracht also earned an asterisk in terms of effectiveness.
After a long-range shot by Goncalo Paciencia, the visiting goalkeeper let the ball go off and Kamada was there when the Frankfurters practically had their first chance.
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dpa
