Frankfurt advance to the final
Frankfurt are hungry this season in the Europa League. And he travels very well in Europe. The Germans had devoured Barça in the quarters: they led 3-0 at Camp Nou before taking two goals in added time on the return (3-2). This Thursday, they crunched West Ham in the openings of each period. Far too alone at the far post, Knauff opened the scoring in the first minute by heading a cross from Borré. Kamada restored the advantage to his side after the break at close range after a fine save from Alphonse Areola against Sow (54th).
Except that the Hammers have a lot of respondents. They had proven it in the previous round by standing up to OL for an hour outnumbered in front of their supporters in the first leg (1-1). Once again pushed by their public, the English quickly responded to the opener. Jarrod Bowen issued a first warning but his shot hit the post (14th). Star striker Michail Antonio equalized shortly after (21st). Instantly, Kurt Zouma was decisive by winning his aerial duel and returning the ball to the far post towards the Jamaican international, who relaxed full length to slip the ball into the back of the net.
The London club pushed for the last half hour, incoming Benrahma hit wood (69th) and Bowen found the crossbar again in added time, but Eintracht held on. The ninth in the Bundesliga could even have increased his lead but Kamada was also upset by the post (79th). Eintracht find themselves in a very good position before the return match at home.
Nkunku mute with Leipzig, Angelino takes care of everything
This time, Christopher Nkunku didn’t strike, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. Ultra-decisive with Leipzig since the start of the season, the French striker made a very energetic start to the match against Glasgow Rangers before gradually dying out and resurging in the second half. The former Parisian brought danger twice in the first quarter of an hour but the cross intended for him never arrived when he had made the right move, and his shot was blocked when he was in an ideal position (17th).
Angelino scored the winning goal. (Lisi Niesner/Reuters)
As usual, Nkunku never stopped proposing solutions and provoking the defence. In vain. And his teammates did not take over before the brilliant and late opener of the left piston Angelino (85th). Leipzig had overall control of the ball and the game against a close-knit Scots who had clearly come to Germany to play the draw and the counters. Result: not a shot on target at the break, the first having taken place in the 53rd minute on an attempt by … Nkunku, always him. The tricolor international then missed a huge opportunity, alone in front of goal, when he had erased Lundstram and dribbled past the goalkeeper (70th).
It was finally Angelino who unblocked the situation five minutes from the end. The Spaniard was on the receiving end of a cleared ball from a corner and he sent a shot from the left in a half-volley which came to lodge in the small net.