Joker Gonçalo Paciência gave Eintracht Frankfurt the longed-for first win of the season with an almost last-minute goal in the ninth competitive game and saved the Bundesliga club from a solid earnings crisis. The Portuguese scored 1-0 (0-0) at Royal Antwerp with a penalty in stoppage time in the second group game of the Europa League.
Thanks to the success in a heated game in front of around 13,000 spectators, some of whom wanted to storm the field after the Frankfurt goal, the Hessians have four points after two games and are therefore in a good starting position in the race for a place in the Provided a knockout phase.
The billows of smoke from the Bengalos from the ranks of the Royal fans were not completely gone when Eintracht made their first contribution to the “hot dance” that Glasner had previously prophesied. However, his team could have cooled off if Sam Lammers had done a little more skillfully after a 20-meter free kick by Martin Hinteregger, parried by Antwerp goalkeeper Jean Butez. After a direct input by Timothy Chandler from the right, Lammers took the ball well on, but when attempting a shot, the Dutchman on loan from Atalanta Bergamo kicked past the ball a few meters in front of the goal. Not even eight minutes had been played.
In the 18th, Filip Kostic joined the ranks of those who missed out on opportunities, but Butez also parried his shot from a rather acute angle. Up until then there was less of a challenge than Kevin Trapp. The Eintracht goalkeeper parried Antwerp’s first shot on goal by Viktor Fischer before the Kostic chance.
From the stable defensive, the Frankfurters get too few correct counterattacks. Ajdin Hrustic, from whose line-up Glasner had promised himself more goal danger from the attacking midfield, could not make any decisive passes. Even in the standard situation, the ball did not want to go into the goal of the Belgians, who had lost their group opener 2-1 against Olympiacos Piraeus and were under even more pressure than the guests after their 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce Istanbul.
And obviously the fans too, although there had been riots by German hooligans in Antwerp before the game. Shortly after the restart, a firework hit Trapp’s legs on the lawn, the keeper went down and was initially treated, but he was able to continue playing and after a good hour after a header from Dinis Almeida showed his skills.
In the heated and charged atmosphere, it was the hosts who pushed for a goal and had the best chance through Mbwana Sattama (64th), while Eintracht’s defensive personnel shortage worsened and captain Hasebe had to leave the pitch. A final offensive brought the guests the longed-for first win of the season when substitute Jesper Lindström was fouled in the penalty area.
Good chances for Leverkusen too
Bayer Leverkusen also opened the door to the knockout round in the Europa League. The team of coach Gerardo Seoane won on the second matchday at the Scottish top club Celtic Glasgow with 4: 0 (2: 0). With their second win, the Werkself consolidated their lead in Group G with six points.
New entry Piero Hincapie (25th) with his first goal in a Bayer dress and young star Florian Wirtz (35th) scored in the first half for Leverkusen. Lucas Alario (58th) with a converted hand penalty and Amine Adli (90th + 4) ensured the final score. “We want to move into the knockout round and take another step on Thursday. We are well prepared,” said Bayer Sports Director Simon Rolfes confidently before departure on Wednesday.