After another last minute defeat Eintracht seems to struggle with getting to terms in the 2010/11 Bundesliga season. The Eagles have now lost four of five games since the start, despite putting in some convincing performances. The game away to Bayer Leverkusen was decided by a 90th minute penalty conceded by Patrick Ochs in his 150th Bundesliga game, on top of it he got sent off with a second yellow card.
Eintracht’s style of play had improved from last Friday’s home defeat v Freiburg (also coming from a late goal). The return of skipper Chris replacing the injured Alex Meier in defensive midfield helped to calm down matters. Benny Koehler had a big chance after five minutes with a header, only to be denied by Bayer keeper Rene Adler. But Leverkusen - despite lacking their key players Ballack, Kiessling, Helmes and Hyypiä - scored with less than ten minutes into the game. Some Eintracht fans might have had a déjà-vu as last season’s 4-0 defeat at that exact venue had started out with three goals conceded in the opening 11 minutes – this time Bender converted a Jorgensen cross.
But Michael Skibbe’s team did not panic and kept focussing on attacking early and creating chances throughout the game. One of them ended up in goal after a fine display of Ochs and Gekas, the latter scoring with a powerful header in minute 18. Six minutes later Halil Altintop let loose a rocket and the opponent keeper only just was able to save the vigorous shot.
After the break it was still an even game, with Frankfurt defending with passion and aggression, and Leverkusen trying to get hold of the game. Eintracht keeper Oka Nikolov showed another strong performance with some good saves. In minute 64 it should have been a penalty and a straight red card for Swiss international Barnetta who committed violent conduct against Maik Franz. The referee did not see it, another addition to the collection of bad luck decisions against Eintracht this season.
The drama continued when firstly Ochs lost a ball in midfield quite casually, then conceded a penalty straight after his mishap, in the very last minute of the game, and was sent off with his second yellow. Nikolov got close to Vidal’s shot from the spot, but not close enough – 1-2 to Leverkusen, and soon after the game was over.
After another frustrating night with a close last minute defeat Eintracht will now face 1. FC Nuernberg at home on Saturday (15.30h CET, live commentary on www.eintracht.de). Although they showed another convincing performance tonight they will have to throw in everything they got in order to turn around the disappointing start to the season.
