Frankfurt squanders last chance to win group
Eintracht Frankfurt's European specialists missed a great opportunity and prematurely squandered their chance to win their group in the Conference League. The Hessians lost 2:1 (0:0) against PAOK Saloniki and can no longer overtake the Greeks on the final matchday.
In front of 58,000 spectators, Tomasz Kedziora (55th minute) and Andrija Zivokovic (73rd minute) scored for the visitors. Omar Marmoush's equalizer (58') was not enough for Frankfurt. Substitute Kristijan Jakic was shown a yellow card in stoppage time (90.+4).
At least it remained calm in the stands this time. Five days after the serious riots between fans and police, the supporters also refrained from targeted provocations. Before kick-off, they briefly fogged their own curve, lit a few Bengal fires and waved numerous flags in the club colors. There were no provocative banners to be seen. Instead, a banner with the inscription "Freie Kurve Frankfurt" (Free Frankfurt Curve) was prominently displayed between the lower and upper tiers.
Eintracht must play an extra round
Frankfurt's final game in Aberdeen on December 14 is therefore more or less worthless. Both teams will spend the winter in Europe. As group winners, Thessaloniki will advance directly to the round of 16, while Eintracht will have to play an extra round.
There were plenty of goalmouth scrambles on the pitch - initially with advantages for the energetic Eintracht. The strong Fares Chaibi got his first shot on target after ten minutes, but was denied by Salonikis Dominik Kotarski. Striker Marmoush (32') also despaired at the brilliant reaction of the Croatian goalkeeper.
PAOK were particularly dangerous from set-pieces. After a pass to Konstantinos Koulierakis (23'), the crossbar saved for the already beaten Kevin Trapp. Shortly afterwards, the international saved a top-class chance from Salonikis playmaker Thomas Murg (29).
Emergency doctor called in the middle of the Frankfurt fan block
Following this chance, the Eintracht fans went quiet. This time, however, the silence had a different reason than during the riots against Stuttgart. An emergency doctor was called out in the middle of the Frankfurt fan block. The situation was covered with a flag for several minutes before the person was carried out of the stadium on a stretcher by several paramedics. Eintracht announced at the break that the person was responsive.
The goals followed after the changeover. The visitors' lead was the result of a slapstick situation following a corner: In the Eintracht penalty area, no Frankfurt player cleared the ball directly in front of Trapp until Kedziora shot in freely. The goal they conceded acted as a wake-up call for Eintracht. Marmoush's equalizer followed just three minutes later after a fine combination via Mario Götze and Chaibi. Shortly afterwards, Hugo Larsson even made it 2:1, but the whistle was blown for offside. That took its revenge. When Trapp made a mistake, Zivkovic was on hand to finish for Saloniki. In the 85th minute, Marmoush missed a great chance to equalize again.
Despite Eintracht Frankfurt's loss to PAOK Thessaloniki in the Conference League, securing a draw, they unfortunately can't overtake the Greeks in their group. As a result, Eintracht must play an extra round to advance further in the tournament, while PAOK will proceed directly to the round of 16 as group winners.
Source: www.dpa.com
