The Eagles had a flurry of chances early in the second half, but their fate was sealed in the 88th minute with Frei beating Kevin Trapp, Eintracht’s outstanding performer.
Personnel: Unchanged line-up
Head coach Adi Hütter named the same team that started the final fixture of the Bundesliga campaign against Paderborn in late June, meaning André Silva and Bas Dost again started together up front, with attack the focus for Eintracht.
Nothing doing
The Eagles saw plenty of possession in the early stages but struggled to fashion any real openings against the home side, who unsurprisingly began in defensive mode. The first opportunity didn’t arrive until the 19th minute, when Martin Hinteregger headed just over from Filip Kostic’s free-kick, while Trapp had to be alert at the other end to deny Silva Widmer twice in the space of two minutes.
Eintracht created their first chance from open play just after the half-hour mark when Silva laid the ball off for Kostic, who smashed it against the side netting from a tricky angle. Dost then headed over from the Serbian’s corner in the final action of a goalless first half.
Eagles run out of steam
Hütter made a double change at the break, introducing Makoto Hasebe and Goncalo Paciencia for Evan Ndicka and Silva, and his charges made a lively start to the second period. Danny da Costa’s stinging half-volley found the side netting, minutes before Dominik Kohr wriggled into the penalty area, only to be thwarted by Basel keeper Djordje Nikolic.
As the Eagles piled forward, they inevitably left gaps at the back and Basel had a number of opportunities to take the lead. Kostic came to the rescue in the 62nd minute, getting back to clear Valentin Stocker’s effort off the line, while Trapp made two more excellent reflex stops to block efforts from Eray Cömert and Samuele Campo. The hosts eventually wrapped up victory in the 88th minute, when Frei rounded Trapp and rolled the ball into the empty net.
Summary: Not to be
There was certainly no lack of endeavour from Eintracht, but they were unable to find the net on the night and as such unable to claw their way back into the tie. While the outcome is tough to accept, the Eagles now have over a month to prepare for the upcoming 2020/21 Bundesliga season.
SGE line-up
Trapp - Abraham, Hinteregger, Ndicka (Hasebe 46’) - Da Costa (Chandler 67’), Kohr, Rode (Ilsanker 67’), Kostic - Kamada – Silva (Paciencia 46’), Dost
Goals
Frei 1-0 (88’)
