In a sold out Commerzbank Arena 51,500 freezing spectators saw today’s home game against Mainz 05 with a changed Eintracht line up. Ioannis Amanatidis started for the third time in a Bundesliga game this season. Tzavellas returned to the left defense (banned last matchday), Marcel Heller and rookie Sonny Kittel stayed on the bench after their starting line up debuts last week, Koehler replaced Alexander Meier in midfield.
Eintracht started very ambitiously and had their first chance in minute one: A nice Amanatidis cross was followed by a Gekas header and just missed the goal. The first 15 minutes belonged to the hosts with a decent offensive structure. Eintracht was superior in possession (about 65%). In the 27th minute the already booked Zabavnik attacked Schwegler and could have been sent off with a second yellow. Mainz later on reacted and took the endangered Zabavnik off the field.
After a sharp cross by Ochs from the right wing Altintop missed the ball by inches. The well deserved lead came minutes later, when defender Marco Russ scored with a straight shot in the left corner. In the 42nd minute Mainz came back into the game rather surprisingly. Halil Altintop somehow brought down Risse in the box and referee Florian Meyer awarded a penalty. Schuerrle scored from the spot to make it 1-1. This was also the halftime score. The crowd had seen a very encouraged first half of the Eagles with a solid defence and several good offensive actions. Amanatidis showed a strong comeback, Koehler, Ochs and Schwegler contributed a lot to Eintracht’s game.
Manager Skibbe changed the team in two positions after the break; Nikolov was injured and had to be replaced by Faehrmann, Meier came on for Altintop. Faehrmann saved a free kick in the 52nd minute. 10 minutes later Gekas received another chance after an Ochs pass, but Mainz keeper Wetklo saved.
The first 20 minutes in the second half saw an even game with chances on both sides. Allagui had a shot for Mainz in the 68th minute but missed the goal. A minute later Amanatidis was subbed off, Caio came on. Meier headed after a fine Koehler pass but missed the goal. Another greek combination lead to danger for the Mainz goal when Gekas shot from just outside the box after a Tzavellas free kick in the 77th.
Once again it was amazing forward Gekas who made the difference. Today’s second penalty this time was given to Eintracht Frankfurt in the 84th minute. Kirchhoff tried to defend in the box and touched the ball with his arm. The linesman raised his flag immediately and referee Meyer showed to the spot. Gekas took over responsibility and scored his 13th goal with an unstoppable shot in the upper right corner.
Mainz was impressed and tried to get back in the game but didn’t manage to create decent chances. Eintracht defended successfully and didn’t let the opponents come near Faehrmann. After two minutes of added time the derby win was in the bag. Despite a tight second half it was a deserved win after a passionate game for Eintracht. Coming up next is the away game against 1. FC Koeln on Saturday (15.30 h CET).
