Dino Toppmöller originally made just one change to his starting line-up from the 2-0 win over Heidenheim before the international break. Ansgar Knauff, who came on and scored in that game, was rewarded with a start in place of Jessic Ngankam. However, Eintracht were then forced into a late change during the warm-up when Kevin Trapp pulled up with niggling back pain, meaning Jens Grahl deputised in goal – his first competitive start since April 2022 – with Robin Koch taking the captain’s armband.
Eintracht roar back
The Eagles had a great chance to take the lead after just two minutes when they won the ball high up and transitioned quickly with Omar Marmoush, who laid it off for Farès Chaibi, but his shot was saved by Oliver Baumann. Instead, it was the hosts who opened the scoring almost directly after, when Baumann’s goal kick found Maximilian Beier, who outmuscled Aurélio Buta before clipping the ball past Grahl.
That lead did not last very long, though: Grahl’s long ball was brought down by Marmoush, who shook off John Brooks before slotting past Baumann. It was the first time since records began that two goalkeepers have registered an assist in a Bundesliga match.
That was the start of a strong period for the visitors, with Knauff and Marmoush both going close to giving the Eagles the lead. Knauff did complete the turnaround in the 23rd minute, though, sliding in at the far post to turn in Chaibi’s ball across goal. The action did not stop there, with Beier and Grischa Prömel having opportunities for Hoffenheim and Marmoush firing over from a tight angle.
With five minutes added on at the end of the first half, there was time for one more Eintracht goal. After some lovely link-up play involving Chaibi and Skhiri, the ball came to the Tunisia international, who managed to steer it in from a tight angle to claim his first Bundesliga goal in a Frankfurt shirt and give his side a two-goal cushion at the break.
Lead protected
The second half was not quite as eventful, which suited Eintracht. Grahl was next called into action in the 59th minute, pushing away Robert Skov’s dangerous free kick. TSG had the majority of the possession, but could not find a way back as the Eagles did an excellent job of managing the game.
In fact, they could even have put the icing on the cake in the 89th minute when the ball came to substitute Junior Dina Ebimbe at the culmination of a counter-attack, but he could only find the side netting. It did not matter, though, as Toppmöller’s men celebrated their first win in 14 Bundesliga away outings.
SGE line-up
Grahl – Tuta, Koch, Pacho – Buta, Larsson, Skhiri, Max (Smolcic 87’) – Knauff (Hauge 75’), Chaibi (Dina Ebimbe 63’) – Marmoush (Ngankam 75’)
Goals
1-0 Beier (3’)
1-1 Marmoush (11’)
1-2 Knauff (23’)
1-3 Skhiri (45’+3)
