27.02.2011
News-Archive

Home Defeat Against Stuttgart

Despite having many scoring opportunities and Stuttgart being one man down after 15 minutes already Eintracht lost toady's game 0-2. Goals were scored by Harnik (64') and Hajnal (67').

Eintracht started the game with Schwegler as their captain, Ochs was out with a stomach flu. Jung returned to defense, Köhler and Meier started alongside Altintop in midfield, Fährmann replaced Nikolov in goal.

It was a tense match from the start, the Eagles were pretty much in control and started to create scoring opportunities early on. Meier and Russ came close with headers from Tzavellas crosses. After 15 minutes Stuttgart's Delpierre was sent off for unsporting conduct, he had tackled Franz while wating for a VfB free-kick.

Until the half time break the Eagles had further chances, Meier, Schwegler, Gekas and Tzavellas could not find the net though. In between Fährmann saved from Okazaki who was through on goal (29'). Still, Eintracht's dominance showed but to no effect score wise.

After the break Skibbe brought on Amanatidis and Fenin (Altintop and Köhler stayed out). The Eagles created further chances from various crosses, and Gekas came closest after a beautiful Schwegler pass, but the Greek's shot hit the post (55'). Fenin had a go with a header but VfB keeper Ulreich saved (58').

Within three minutes the game was turned upside down: Stuttgart very quickly took a free-kick after a Russ handball, Fährmann could not control the shot coming from Gebhardt and Harnik finished from close range (64'). And after a fast break minutes later Hajnal beat Fährmann with a chip (67').

It could have gotten worse when Okazaki had a go from long range, this time Fährmann showed skills and saved the try. Then Kittel came on for Rode who had a good game in midfield until he was taken off (73').

It was no total breakdown despite the massive blow coming from these two goals. The Eagles kept pushing, created chance after chance but it just was not meant to be. Stuttgart gave their all and keeper Ulreich showed a good performance with some crucial saves. In the end Eintracht had 30 scoring attempts which is their season high, 68% possession and 81% successful passes - but the goalless run continues.

Today's defeat also means that Frankfurt dropped in the Bundesliga standings down to 13, only three points away from the relegation play-off spot. These are difficult times for the team that had the right attitude going into the match. The wait for the first goal after seven games continues, and points are needed badly. Another immensely important match is coming up next Sunday (at home against 1. FC Kaiserslautern). The fans will be back, most of the 47,400 continued to supported the team throughout today - even after the game was over.