It was a game of two halves at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, with Nicolás González and Gonzalo Castro giving the energetic hosts a two-goal lead at the break before a much-improved performance from Frankfurt in the second half was rewarded with goals from André Silva and David Abraham.
One enforced change
Adi Hütter made just one alteration to his starting line-up following last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen, with Dominik Kohr replacing Sebastian Rode, who sat out due to tendinitis.
Hosts take their chances
The contest began in lively fashion with the Eagles creating the first notable opportunity on six minutes, Silva heading into the arms of Gregor Kobel from Almamy Touré’s cross. Shortly afterwards, the hosts broke free on the counter but Castro blasted over. The next chance again came from Touré on the right, but Bas Dost couldn’t turn the ball in at the near post.
Touré was then involved at the other end, bundling González to the ground in the penalty area, and the striker stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick. VfB gifted Eintracht an opportunity for an almost immediate equaliser when they conceded possession on the edge of their own area, but Daichi Kamada could only shoot wide. Just as the Eagles were beginning to string together some better moves, they were hit by another quick Stuttgart attack as González played in Castro, who slotted past Kevin Trapp to make it 2-0.
Captain’s goal completes comeback
With fresh legs in the form of Aymen Barkok and Amin Younes, Eintracht started the second period on the front foot, with Kohr’s effort from Silva’s cut-back being blocked on the line. Hütter’s men finally got the goal they deserved in the 61st minute, when Barkok pulled the ball back for Silva to net his fifth goal of the campaign. They almost followed that up with the equaliser just a minute later,when Kohr headed just over from Younes‘ cross, before Dost’s rebound from Silva’s parried effort was blocked.
The momentum was very much with Eintracht now and they completed the comeback on 75 minutes when Abraham headed in from Barkok’s corner for his first goal of the season. Trapp, who had little to do in the second half, then had to be alert to tip Tanguy Coulibaly’s shot around the post. Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Filip Kostic – who made his comeback from injury – stinging Kobel’s gloves with a free-kick just moments after coming on, but an entertaining contest ended all square.
Summary: Point gained
Having trailed at the break, Hütter will be delighted with the character shown by his side in the second half and in particular with the impact of substitute Barkok, who set up both goals. Although it’s their third draw in four games, it will certainly feel like a point gained rather than two dropped.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Abraham, Hasebe, Hinteregger – Toure (Barkok 46’), Ilsanker (Sow 80’), Kohr, Zuber (Younes 46’) – Kamada (Kostic 87’) – Dost, Silva
Goals
1-0 Gonzalez (pen. 17’)
2-0 Castro (37’)
2-1 Silva (61’)
2-2 Abraham (75’)
