Toure makes comeback
Oliver Glasner made three changes to his starting line-up following the Bundesliga match against Köln at the weekend. Erik Durm and Evan Ndicka were ruled out after sustaining knocks in that game, so Makoto Hasebe and Almamy Toure – making his first appearance of the season following injury – came into a back three. Ajdin Hrustic replaced Jens Petter Hauge in the other change.
Tight first half
The Eagles had the better of the opening exchanges at the Bosuilstadion, with Martin Hinteregger’s powerful low free-kick warming the gloves of Antwerp goalkeeper Jean Butez (3’) and Sam Lammers unable to turn in Timothy Chandler’s inviting ball (8’). The hosts’ first attempt on goal came on 18 minutes when Viktor Fischer fired straight at Kevin Trapp, before Filip Kostic had a similar attempt saved at the other end.
The Belgians came into the contest more after that, albeit without creating any big chances. Eintracht, for their part, also struggled to find a spark in attack and the first half ended goalless.
Paciencia holds his nerve
Both coaches made a substitution each for the second half but it continued in a similar vein, with both sides lacking precision in their attacking play and struggling to create clear chances. The hosts did have a couple of decent opportunities shortly after the hour mark, Dinis Almeida’s header from a free-kick being pushed away by Trapp (61’) and then Mbwana Samatta blasting over after breaking through on goal (64’).
Eintracht then had a spell of pressure of their own but still couldn’t force the issue, Lammers and Rafael Borré both spurning half-chances. As the match drew to a close, it looked like one moment could decide it – and so it proved. In the first minute of added time, Jesper Lindström was upended as he embarked on a run in the penalty area, and fellow substitute Paciencia stepped up and converted for his first goal in a Frankfurt shirt since December 2019. The Eagles battled through the remaining minutes of stoppage time to clinch the three points.
Summary: Precious win
That late penalty may well have been the moment Eintracht needed to kick-start their campaign following six successive draws in all competitions. Not that it was completely undeserved either, after another hard-working and defensively solid display from Glasner’s men.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Toure, Hasebe (Ilsanker 72’), Hintegger – Chandler, Sow (Tuta 90+3’), Jakic, Kostic – Hrustic (Kamada 46’) – Borré (Paciencia 86’), Lammers (Lindström 72’)
Goals
0-1 Paciencia (90+1’ pen)
