Sow opened the scoring from Filip Kostic’s pass, only for Mergim Berisha to equalise for the Turkish club shortly before half-time. Oliver Glasner’s side dominated the second period but needed only a point to top the group ahead of second-placed Olympiacos, who failed to get the win they needed against Royal Antwerp.
One enforced change
Jens Petter Hauge replaced the injured Jesper Lindström in the only change from the Eintracht side that lost 3-2 at TSG Hoffenheim at the weekend. Other than that, it was the same XI that started the Eagles’ last four games in all competitions.
Sow strikes first
Despite making the brighter start in Istanbul, Eintracht had the linesman’s flag to thank for keeping the score goalless with 13 minutes on the clock. Berisha managed to beat Kevin Trapp with a low effort from the corner of the area, but the striker was ruled to be marginally offside and the goal was disallowed.
The Eagles deservedly took the lead just shy of the half-hour mark, when Sow arrived late in the box to slot home Kostic’s left-wing delivery after excellent work from Daichi Kamada in the build-up. Fenerbahce restored parity against the run of play just 12 minutes later, Berisha capitalising on Makoto Hasebe’s failed clearance and finding the net from close range.
Mission accomplished
The visitors remained the more likely scorers in the early stages of the second half. Kostic was inches away from restoring Eintracht’s lead 13 minutes after the break, but the Serbian’s low strike from Hauge’s pass flew inches wide of the right-hand post. Second-half substitute Sam Lammers was next to go close, shooting off target after combining with Goncalo Paciencia.
The Eagles failed to make their dominance count in the closing stages but with Olympiacos losing 1-0 in Antwerp, the Eagles’ place in the Round of 16 was rarely under threat. The Greek side, who lost home and away to Glasner’s troops, have to make do with a place in the Europa League knockout round play-offs.
Summary: A group campaign to be proud of
The Eagles deserved to end their group campaign with a victory after dominating proceedings in Istanbul. Despite having to settle for a point apiece, Glasner and his players can be extremely proud of their efforts in Group D and head into the Round of 16 full of confidence.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Hasebe, Ndicka – Chandler (Da Costa 69’), Sow (Hrustic 78’), Jakic (Rode 69’), Kostic – Hauge (Lammers 69’), Kamada – Borré (Paciencia 60’)
Goals
0-1 Sow (29’)
1-1 Berisha (41’)
