There were two changes to the starting line-up from Saturday’s 2-1 win at Augsburg. As announced in the build-up, captain Sebastian Rode was given a rest, so fit-again Daichi Kamada came into the midfield, while Ansgar Knauff was preferred to Luca Pellegrini on the left wing.
Eagles run riot
Eintracht made a blistering start at Deutsche Bank Park and opened the scoring with their first opportunity on six minutes. Jesper Lindström won the ball on the left and the ball came via Kamada to Djibril Sow, who showed neat footwork to get into the penalty area before slotting the ball in. Two minutes later, it was 2-0 when Lindström’s half-volley was pushed out by TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, and Randal Kolo Muani reacted quickest to fire in the rebound.
The ruthless Eagles were causing problems for Hoffenheim every time they came forward. After a brief dip in intensity, they extended their lead in the 29th minute. Mario Götze acrobatically flicked the ball on for Kolo Muani, who had the vision to play it across the box to compatriot Junior Dina Ebimbe, who slotted it in at the far post. The visitors, who had barely troubled the Frankfurt defence up to that point, then pulled a goal back out of nothing, with Ozan Kabak bringing down Angelino’s long diagonal ball and touching it on for the onrushing Christoph Baumgartner to nod in. The hosts nearly restored their three-goal cushion on the stroke of half-time, but Lindström’s shot was deflected just behind.
Hoffenheim hopes short-lived
After a brilliant first 45 minutes, the Eagles were caught napping right at the start of the second as Kabak was afforded too much space outside the area and his low show beat Kevin Trapp. The momentum briefly swung in favour of Hoffenheim, with Georginio Rutter’s effort being blocked for a corner. However, Eintracht soon restored their two-goal cushion with another flowing move involving Götze, Kolo Muani and Lindström, who finished it off for his sixth Bundesliga goal of the season.
Oliver Glasner’s men had several chances to put the result beyond doubt in the period after that, with Kamada hitting the bar and Lindström and Dina Ebimbe both narrowly missing the target. However, other than Andrej Kramaric’s header that was saved by Trapp, the visitors didn’t threaten a comeback again and the crowd of 49,000 celebrated a wonderful evening of football.
Summary: Unstoppable Eintracht
Four brilliant team goals, flowing football, the farewell to Martin Hinteregger, Almamy Toure’s comeback and fourth place in the table – there’s a lot for Eintracht fans to be happy about tonight. The first half display in particular was scintillating, and although the Eagles allowed the contest to get unnecessarily tight at the start of the second period, in the end it was a convincing win.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Jakic (Smolcic 64’), Ndicka – Dina Ebimbe (Toure 90’), Sow, Kamada, Knauff (Pellegrini 81’) – Lindström (Borré 81’), Götze – Kolo Muani (Alario 90’)
Goals
1-0 Sow (6’)
2-0 Kolo Muani (8’)
3-0 Dina Ebimbe (29’)
3-1 Baumgartner (37’)
3-2 Kabak (46’)
4-2 Lindström (56’)