After the final whistle, the players were cheering in each other’s arms, the fans who had traveled with them chanted “Europe’s best team” in exuberance of happiness: Eintracht Frankfurt made the winter in the Europa League perfect early on. The Hessians, ailing in the Bundesliga, celebrated a late 2: 1 (1: 1) victory against Greek champions Olympiacos Piraeus on Thursday evening and thus secured at least the ticket for the playoffs against a third party in the Champions League.
“It feels great,” said Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner. “We are very, very happy that we won against a good opponent in this cauldron and that we achieved our first goal – wintering in the Europa League – so early. Now we have to take this momentum with us.” With ten points, Eintracht now leads Group D well ahead of Piraeus (6) and thus has the best chance of being the first to make it directly to the round of 16.
Trapp, who has been strong for weeks, rescues his team brilliantly
Youssef El Arabi gave the hosts the lead in the 12th minute, which Daichi Kamada (17th) equalized. Jens Petter Hauge scored the acclaimed winning goal for the Frankfurt team in stoppage time. “We accepted the fight and are very satisfied that we have achieved our first goal,” said Frankfurt’s sports director Markus Krösche to the Hessischer Rundfunk. “The victory was not undeserved.”
After the early deficit, the Frankfurt team quickly gave the right answer. Rafael Borré served Kamada, who lifted the ball past Piraeus goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik into the net. The Japanese had already scored in the 3-1 win in the first leg. The compensation gave the Frankfurters a little more security in their actions, even if hardly anything went on the offensive. In addition, mistakes crept into the game of Eintracht, which was in serious danger after 36 minutes. Giorgos Masouras suddenly appeared free in front of the goal, but Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp rescued brilliantly with his foot. The 31-year-old, who had been in top form for weeks, was also on the post a little later when Mohamed Camara shot.
After the move, Piraeus increased the pressure. Onyekuru (57th) had the renewed lead on his feet, but narrowly missed. It was only after 69 minutes that the Bundesliga team came dangerously in front of the opponent’s goal. Substitute Jesper Lindström failed because of Vaclik. In the final phase, the substitute Hauge was on the spot and made for freed Eintracht cheers. “We were waiting for this situation,” said Glasner.