The behind-closed-doors clash in Marseille turned out to be a dream start for Eintracht in the Europa League group stage. Having fallen behind in only the third minute of the match, the Eagles fought back impressively in the second half. Lucas Torró made it 1-1 in the 52nd minute before Luka Jovic’s 89th-minute strike handed all three points to the visitors, who were down to ten men by that point following Jetro Willems’ dismissal.
Hütter adjusts personnel and tactics
Head coach Adi Hütter’s line-up showed three changes from the Bundesliga game at Borussia Dortmund last Friday. Makoto Hasebe, Jonathan de Guzman and Jetro Willems came in for Gelson Fernandes, Marco Fabián and Simon Falette. There was also a slight change in the system, with Lucas Torró occupying the holding midfield role and Hasebe and de Guzman operating in front of him. Mijat Gacinovic took up a wider position on the right flank.
Worst possible start
Eintracht’s return to the European stage could hardly have started in worse fashion. With less than three minutes on the clock, Florian Thauvin delivered the ball to the onrushing Lucas Ocampos, whose shot bounced off the inside of the post and in. Eintracht almost equalised immediately, but Willems couldn’t control Danny da Costa’s fizzing cross. Marseille were the better side in the first half, testing goalkeeper Kevin Trapp on a number of occasions, and took a deserved lead into the interval.
Ten men battle back
Hütter made a change at half-time, bringing Nicolai Müller on for Gacinovic, but it was de Guzman and Torró who combined for the Eagles’ equaliser on 52 minutes. The Dutchman curled in a corner from the right and his Spanish midfield colleague timed his run perfectly, powering a header past OM keeper Yohann Pelé. However, Eintracht made life harder for themselves just seven minutes later when Willems was shown his second booking for a foul on Dimitri Payet. Yet despite being down to ten men, Hütter’s side showed great character and completed a superb comeback in the 89th minute when Jovic collected a pass from fellow substitute Falette and smashed in a volley to make it 2-1.
Summary: Sensational spirit earns three points
Eintracht showed immense character to bounce back from Marseille’s early goal and Willems’ sending off. In terms of the balance of play, the result was perhaps harsh on the hosts but the Eagles’ battling performance at the Stade Vélodrome warranted at least a point.
SGE line-up:
Trapp - Willems, Ndicka, Abraham, da Costa - Torró, Hasebe, de Guzman (Falette 62’) - Gacinovic (Müller 46’), Kostic, Haller (Jovic 75’).
Goals:
1-0 Ocampos (3’)
1-1 Torró (52’)
1-2 Jovic (89’)
