The 80th DFB Cup final was Eintracht’s 49th competitive fixture of the 2022/23 season and also the last for Oliver Glasner. The outgoing head coach made two changes to the team that started against Freiburg on the final day of the Bundesliga season last weekend, with fit-again Philipp Max and Sebastian Rode replacing Christopher Lenz and Jesper Lindström. The return of captain Rode meant Daichi Kamada reverted to an attacking midfield role.
Even contest
Eintracht were almost caught napping in the fourth minute when Dominik Szoboszlai played in Timo Werner, but he fired straight into the grateful arms of Kevin Trapp. After that early scare, the Eagles did a good job of frustrating Leipzig while waiting for their opportunities in transition. Despite having 60 percent of the possession, the holders’ only other real chance came in the 42nd minute, when Christopher Nkunku’s shot was deflected wide by Tuta.
Frankfurt created one good opportunity of their own in the 16th minute, when Randal Kolo Muani skipped past Willi Orban before hitting the side netting. Otherwise the defences were on top in what was a hard-fought first half, which ended goalless.
Luck not on Eintracht’s side
It remained a similar story after the break, with most of the play focused in midfield and neither side willing to risk much. The Eagles did have more purpose in their attacking play kicking towards their fans, who were greater in both numbers and volume. The first notable opening opportunity of the half didn’t arrive until the 64th minute, when birthday boy Mario Götze’s fierce volley was pushed away by Janis Blaswich.
Glasner made his first substitution in the 70th minute, bringing on Lindström for Rode, but Leipzig broke the deadlock in fortuitous fashion just a minute later, when Nkunku’s shot took not one but two deflections on its way past Trapp. The Saxony side had their tails up now and wanted a second goal. Substitute Yussuf Poulsen headed over from one of several corners, but they did make it 2-0 minutes later. Nkunku was the provider this time, teeing up Szoboszlai to slot in. Kolo Muani then forced a save from Blaswich but there was no coming back for Eintracht, whose place in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season is confirmed.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Hasebe (Borré 78’), Ndicka – Buta (Dina Ebimbe 87’), Rode (Lindström 70’), Sow, Max (Lenz 78’) – Kamada, Götze – Kolo Muani
Goals
1-0 Nkunku (71’)
2-0 Szoboszlai (85’)