Forsberg gave Julian Nagelsmann’s side the lead early in the second half, but André Silva set up Kamada to fire home Eintracht’s equaliser just after the hour-mark. The draw gives the Eagles a two-point cushion over fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund with nine rounds of fixtures left to play.
Tuta, Rode and Kamada return
Adi Hütter made three changes to the team held by VfB Stuttgart last weekend, with Tuta, Sebastian Rode and Kamada coming in for Martin Hinteregger, Erik Durm and Luka Jovic. Hinteregger has been struggling with a thigh problem, while Durm is set to be sidelined for two to three weeks after suffering a hip injury in training.
Eagles hold firm
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Eintracht had to withstand a period of sustained Leipzig pressure in the early stages of the game. Kevin Trapp was alert to deny Justin Kluivert in a one-on-one situation before parrying Forsberg’s curling effort, with Willi Orban’s goal from the rebound disallowed for offside.
The Eagles grew in confidence as the half wore on but failed to worry Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi until six minutes before the interval. Djibril Sow teed up Kamada after fine work from Amin Younes on the left, but the Japan international scuffed his effort wide of the target.
Kamada strikes back
Hütter’s charges made the worst possible start to the second half, falling behind less than a minute after the restart. Kluivert’s powerful strike was well saved by Trapp, but Forsberg was first to the rebound and slotted into the far corner to put the hosts ahead. Leipzig continued to pile the pressure on and soon went close to doubling their advantage, Yussuf Poulsen heading narrowly over from Forsberg’s delivery.
Gulacsi was at full stretch to tip Younes’ dipping effort over the crossbar, but there was nothing the Hungarian could do to prevent Kamada’s side-footed strike from Silva’s cross finding the back of the net moments later. Evan Ndicka’s intervention prevented a tap-in for Poulsen before Eintracht substitute Luka Jovic almost snatched all three points for the visitors late on, slicing wide from Filip Kostic’s pass.
Summary: A priceless point
Eintracht had to dig deep against Nagelsmann’s charges but earned themselves a share of the spoils thanks to a combination of dogged defending at one end and clinical finishing at the other. This could prove to be a very important point come the end of the season as Eintracht attempt to secure a top-four Bundesliga finish.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Hasebe, Ndicka – Ilsanker – Younes (Barkok 72’), Sow, Rode, Kostic – Kamada (Ache 81’) – Silva (Jovic 72’)
Goals
1-0 Forsberg (46’)
1-1 Kamada (61’)
