The European tour continues for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.
The victory in Piraeus ensures early progress and increases the chances of direct entry into the round of 16.
Piraeus - After the final whistle, the players were cheering in each other's arms, the fans who had traveled with them chanted "Europe's best team" in exuberance of happiness: Eintracht Frankfurt made the winter in the Europa League perfect early on.
The Hessians, ailing in the Bundesliga, celebrated a late 2: 1 (1: 1) victory against Greek champions Olympiacos Piraeus on Thursday evening and thus secured at least the ticket for the playoffs against a third party in the Champions League.
"It feels great," said Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner.
“We are very, very happy that we won against a good opponent in this cauldron and that we achieved our first goal - wintering in the Europa League - so early.
Now it is important to take this momentum with you. "
With ten points, Eintracht now leads Group D well ahead of Piraeus (6) and thus has the best chance of being the first to reach the last sixteen. Youssef El Arabi gave the hosts the lead in the 12th minute, which Daichi Kamada (17th) equalized. Jens Petter Hauge scored the acclaimed winning goal for the Frankfurt team in stoppage time. "We accepted the fight and are very satisfied that we have achieved our first goal," said Frankfurt's sports director Markus Krösche to the Hessischer Rundfunk. "The victory was not undeserved."
After the injured Filip Kostic, Ajdin Hrustic, Christopher Lenz and Gonçalo Paciência failed, Eintracht, which was still unbeaten in Europe, had to do without Erik Durm for a short time.
The midfielder signed off with gastrointestinal problems.
In addition, defense chief Martin Hinteregger only sat on the bench.
"He made a tired impression recently," explained Glasner, who changed the starting line-up to five positions compared to the most recent 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig.
For Hinteregger, veteran Makoto Hasebe moved into the three-man chain, who did not pass the first endurance test.
Tuta was overrun on the right side of defense by Henry Onyekuru, whose cross was completed by El Arabi, who was completely free in the center, to give the Greeks an early lead.
However, the Hessians were not shocked by this and quickly gave the appropriate answer.
Rafael Borré served Kamada, who lifted the ball past Piraeus goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik into the net.
The Japanese had already scored in the 3-1 win in the first leg.
The compensation gave the Frankfurters a little more security in the actions, even if hardly anything went on the offensive.
In addition, mistakes crept into the game of Eintracht, which was in serious danger after 36 minutes.
Giorgos Masouras suddenly appeared free in front of the goal, but Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp rescued brilliantly with his foot.
The 31-year-old, who had been in top form for weeks, was also on the post a little later when Mohamed Camara shot.
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After the move, Piraeus increased the pressure.
Onyekuru (57th) had the renewed lead on his feet, but narrowly missed.
It was only after 69 minutes that the Bundesliga team came dangerously in front of the opponent's goal.
Substitute Jesper Lindström failed because of Vaclik.
In the final phase, the substitute Hauge was on the spot and ensured a liberated Eintracht cheers.
"We were waiting for this situation," said Glasner.
dpa
