After a goalless first half, a quick-fire second-half double from Silva and Dost put Eintracht firmly in the driving seat. Phillipp Steinhart pulled a goal back for 1860 from the penalty spot, but the Eagles survived a nervy ending to book their place in the second round.
Personnel: Zuber in for Kostic
With Filip Kostic suspended following his red card against Werder Bremen in last season’s quarter-final, summer signing Steven Zuber was handed his competitive debut for the Eagles in Munich. The Swiss international’s inclusion was one of three changes to the team that started against Ajax in Eintracht’s most recent friendly, with Dominik Kohr and Dost also coming into the side in place of Stefan Ilsanker and the injured Ragnar Ache.
First half: No way through for either side
Aiming to reach the second round for the first time since the 2016/17 season, 1860 started confidently at the Grünwalder Stadion and forced one or two half-chances early on in the match. Kevin Trapp had to be alert to beat Fabian Greilinger to a long ball over the top of the Eagles defence, before Sascha Mölders was thwarted by a last-ditch Martin Hinteregger tackle.
Adi Hütter’s side started to flex their muscles as the half wore on, however, and struck the post through Kohr on 18 minutes. Mölders headed against the woodwork at the other end not long afterwards, before slicing another effort inches wide of the far post five minutes before the break.
Second half: Silva breaks deadlock
Eintracht began the second half with greater purpose, Silva testing 1860 goalkeeper Marco Hiller with a low drive not long after the restart. The Portugal international did not have to wait long to open his account for the campaign, however, nodding home Dost’s cut-back to put the Eagles ahead six minutes into the second half.
It was 2-0 five minutes later, Silva turning provider for Dost to head in his first of the season and give Hütter’s charges a comfortable two-goal cushion. The hosts were subsequently handed a lifeline when Trapp brought down Stefan Lex inside the penalty area with 12 minutes remaining, allowing Steinhart to reduce the arrears from the spot. Eintracht held on, though, to secure their place in the next round.
Summary: Solid, if unspectacular
Hütter will feel there is plenty of room for improvement from his side, but the SGE boss will be pleased with this performance against an impressive 1860 outfit. The narrow victory should give the Eagles a confidence boost ahead of their Bundesliga opener against Arminia Bielefeld next weekend.
SGE line-up
Trapp - Abraham, Hinteregger, Ndicka – Da Costa, Rode (Sow 72’), Kohr (Ilsanker 79’), Zuber (Chandler 72’) – Kamada (Barkok 80’) – Dost, Silva
Goals
0-1 Silva (51’)
0-2 Dost (56’)
1-2 Steinhart (78’ pen)
