Conference League
Angry Jakic and mistaken Trapp at Eintracht in focus
Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and Frankfurter Eintacht lost to PAOK Saloniki 1:2. photo
© Arne Dedert/dpa
Defeat, expulsion, group win gone: Eintracht Frankfurt had a used evening. Even an otherwise reliable support makes a mistake this time.
The wild celebration of group winners PAOK Saloniki was in the stadium catacombs Frankfurt was great to hear – and the Eintracht professionals were once again particularly annoyed.
Visibly annoyed, sports director Markus Krösche answered the questions after the 1:2 (0:0) and denounced the team’s mistakes. “We have to make sure we avoid these simple mistakes. We wanted to win the group,” said Krösche.
The result of the home defeat in front of 58,000 spectators: Frankfurt has to go to the intermediate round of the Conference League, which will take place on February 15th and 22nd. This time goalkeeper Kevin Trapp also played a significant role in this, letting a simple shot bounce forward before Andrija Zivkovic’s winning goal. “He is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. Today is a bitter moment for him. With this mistake, this opportunity is wasted,” RTL expert Lothar Matthäus analyzed the possible group win. Instead, Saloniki will move straight into the round of 16 (March 7th and 14th).
Substitute Kristijan Jakic completely lost his nerve in the end and saw yellow and yellow-red in a very short time. Even after that, Jakic didn’t calm down, first swearing at the referee and then at the fourth official on the sideline. Jakic will be able to cope with the ban for the last group game in Aberdeen on December 14th, as the game no longer has any influence on the outcome of the preliminary round group.