There was just one change from the team that started in Eintracht’s last Bundesliga match at Mainz 69 days ago, and it was an enforced one with Hrvoje Smolcic replacing the injured Tuta in defence.
End-to-end action
In a fervent atmosphere at Deutsche Bank Park, the game got off to an energetic start. The visitors were brave and aggressive in the early exchanges, but it was Eintracht who fashioned the first opening when Jesper Lindström played in Randal Kolo Muani, whose effort was blocked for a corner. The Frenchman also had the next chance, but off balance he dragged his shot wide. Eintracht were coming into the game more and made the breakthrough on 21 minutes. Kolo Muani was the provider this time – notching his 10th assist in the Bundesliga this season – as he fed Lindström, who turned Henning Matriciani inside and out before firing past Alexander Schwolow in the Schalke goal.
The Royal Blues almost came up with a quick reply, but Kevin Trapp produced a brilliant save to tip Simon Terodde’s glancing header around the post. Soichiro Kozuki then also went close for the visitors, smashing against the outside of the post from a tight angle. Eintracht remained a threat going forward and Lindström almost scored a second from a similar position, but they were happy to go in at the break with a one-goal lead.
Late double seals the win
It was a similar story after the restart, with Schalke pushing for the equaliser but the Eagles a constant threat on the counter. Just two minutes into the second half, Trapp got a strong hand to push away Kozuki’s firm header from a free-kick, before Terodde headed over from Marius Bülter’s left-wing cross. Dina Ebimbe had Eintracht’s only opportunity in this period, volleying over from a tight angle after a fine move. The Paris Saint-Germain loanee was then forced off after injuring himself in a challenge, with Aurélio Buta coming on for his SGE debut.
The action then died down for a while, which was good news for the Eagles, and they were able to wrap up the three points late on thanks to two of Oliver Glasner’s substitutes. Rafael Borré timed his run perfectly to latch onto Lindström’s through ball and poke the ball past Schwolow, before the Colombian set up Buta for a debut goal in stoppage time.
Summary: Better in both boxes
The scoreline is perhaps not a fair reflection of the balance of play, but Eintracht were the more efficient of the two teams and were grateful to some wasteful finishing from Schalke as well as a couple of world-class saves from Trapp. The victory moves the Eagles above Freiburg – who they play next on Wednesday – into second place in the Bundesliga table.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Smolcic, Jakic, Ndicka – Dina Ebimbe (Buta 70’), Sow, Kamada (Rode 81’), Knauff (Lenz 61’) – Lindström, Götze – Kolo Muani (Borré 70’)
Goals
1-0 Lindström (22’)
2-0 Borré (84’)
3-0 Buta (90’+1)