Eintracht in luck: After 1:0 the winter is safe
Thanks to luck and a dream goal from Farès Chaibi, Eintracht Frankfurt won 1:0 (1:0) at HJK Helsinki and secured their place in the Conference League for the winter. With the temperature just above freezing and on artificial turf, Chaibi scored from the edge of the penalty area into the far corner in the 31st minute. As PAOK Saloniki drew 2-2 against FC Aberdeen in the parallel match, the Bundesliga club's success secured them a place in the intermediate round and the best chance of winning the group. The match against PAOK on November 30 will be the decider. Only the group winner will progress directly to the round of 16.
The hosts, who were thrashed 6-0 in the first leg and ended their season weeks ago by winning their 33rd championship title in Finland, were keen to avoid another disaster and make their own mark going forward. However, much of their efforts came to nothing, although Frankfurt initially did not put up much of a fight - but also created too few scoring opportunities.
The first great chance (7'), in which Chaibi artistically brought the ball towards goal with his heel and Helsinki keeper Niki Mäenpää deflected it against the post, was highly entertaining. The seconds that followed were chaotic: Willian Pacho and Hugo Larsson poked at the ball one after the other, which Helsinki players just managed to keep out. The Finns then had no chance when Algeria's Chaibi made it 1-0, flicking the ball into the right-hand corner from the left edge of the penalty area.
"If Helsinki were more determined, it could be dangerous," warned Eintracht sporting director Timmo Hardung during the half-time break. "We have a lot of control going forward, but you'd like to see a few more chances and goals."
The hope was not fulfilled, as Helsinki worked courageously for the equalizer in front of around 10,000 spectators and the Hessians too little for another goal. However, they almost made it 2:0 in the 54th minute through goalscorer Omar Marmoush. However, he missed from ten meters.
National goalkeeper Kevin Trapp proved to be a savior in an emergency (61') when he blocked a shot from Santeri Hostikka, who was storming towards him alone, with his foot. It was particularly noticeable in this situation that the coordination in the back line was not optimal due to the absence of regulars Robin Koch and Tuta, who were replaced by Aurélio Buta and Hrvoje Smolcic. This was also the case in the 68th minute, when a goal was conceded following an unjustified free-kick, but was disallowed by the referee.
Eintracht Frankfurt's victory over HJK Helsinki not only secured their spot in the Conference League for the winter, but also placed them in a strong position to win their group. In the upcoming match against PAOK Saloniki, only the group winner will advance directly to the round of 16.
Despite a difficult match against HJK Helsinki, Eintracht Frankfurt failed to create many scoring opportunities, leaving them struggling to secure another goal after Farès Chaibi's dream goal in the 31st minute.
Source: www.dpa.com
