Conference League playoffs: Frankfurt gambled away a clear lead at Saint-Gilloise

Conference League playoffs
Frankfurt gambled away a clear lead at Saint-Gilloise

February 15, 2024, 8:39 p.m

A furious initial phase is followed by late disillusionment at Eintracht Frankfurt: in the first leg of the Conference League playoffs, a quick lead is not enough to win. Royale Union Saint-Gilloise equalizes and pushes for victory even when they are outnumbered.

Eintracht Frankfurt missed the reaction they had hoped for on the international stage and carelessly squandered a better starting position in the fight for the Conference League round of 16. Despite a dream start, coach Dino Toppmöller’s recently much-criticised team had to settle for a 2-2 (2-1) draw in the second round first leg against Europa League relegated Union Saint-Gilloise after an inexplicable drop in performance.

“It’s very, very annoying that we don’t travel to Frankfurt with a better starting position. It’s also annoying how we played in the second half,” said Sebastian Rode RTL+: “We have to stay calm and counter it better.”

Fares Chaibi (3rd) and winter newcomer Sasa Kalajdzic (10th) rewarded the Hessians for a very strong initial phase. However, the sovereign leaders of the Belgian league punished Eintracht, who were weakening after the break, and hit back with Mathias Rasmussen (31′) and Gustaf Nilsson (68′). In the final phase, the hosts’ Charles Vanhoutte (78th) was sent off with a yellow-red card. In the second leg next Thursday (21 clock/RTL, RTL+ and in the live ticker at ntv.de) the SGE needs a win to advance.

The disappointing performances at 1. FC Cologne (0:2) and against VfL Bochum (1:1) recently caused dissatisfaction on the Main. Sports director Markus Krösche therefore called for “more heavy metal” from Eintracht. Kevin Trapp moved back into goal after lumbago, and the Hessians started with Omar Marmoush and Kalajdzic as a double leader. However, his protégés only took this instruction to heart in the first half hour, when they dominated the game and were rewarded with two goals. After less than 150 seconds, Chaibi scored from close range after a shot from Kalajdzic had been blocked. Niels Nkounkou had previously prepared exemplary.

Ex-third division striker ensures the final score

And it got even better. Just a few minutes later, Kalajdzic, who had missed last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against VfL Bochum due to the birth of his child, deliberately completed a great counterattack via Omar Marmoush and Chaibi. It was the first goal for the Austrian, who came on loan from English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in the winter.

With the clear lead behind them, Frankfurt initially controlled the game and skillfully kept the hosts away from their own goal. Only a header from Nilsson, which just missed the target, was initially in danger. The Bundesliga team still had the better chances. Chaibi failed with a long-range shot past former Eintracht goalkeeper Heinz Lindner, and a little later Kalajdzic missed from a promising position.

But then Ellyes Skhiri blacked out and brought the Belgians back into the game. Rasmussen took advantage of a serious mistake by the Frankfurt defensive player, who missed the ball in his own penalty area, to connect. The goal had an impact on the guests, who were no longer so dominant and were increasingly having problems defensively.

This continued after the change. Saint-Gilloise created a few chances against a heavily weakening Hessian team. Nilsson missed twice, first heading the ball well over the goal from five meters and then a short time later a shot from eleven meters was missed by Trapp. However, the Swede, who used to play for SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the 3rd league, did better in the third attempt. After a pass to the front, the striker maneuvered the ball past the rushing Trapp into the net and rewarded the hosts for their tireless effort.