Manager Armin Veh changed the starting line up in one position compared to last week's 2-0 cup win away to Halle. Pirmin Schwegler returned (match ban in the cup) replacing Martin Fenin. Both goalkeeper Nikolov and striker Gekas were in the starting 11 again, the tactical formation was 4-2-3-1.
The match started with a powerful display of the Eagles who straight away seemed to be in the right mind frame for this fixture against Braunschweig (2 wins in the first 2 league games). After only three minutes Köhler finished a flowing attack down the left wing via Meier and Rode with a goal from outside the box - the first one for Frankfurt in the opening 15 minutes of a match in over a year!
The Eagles kept attacking and Gekas scored with a header less than 60 seconds later, but the referee decided on attacking foul against Braunschweig keeper Petkovic - a debatable decision (4'). Djakpa (5') and Schildenfeld (6') added to the shots statistics of the Eagles with long range efforts and Gekas headed wide after a Köhler cross (13'). Then Braunschweig came close but Nikolov was at the end of a Zimmermann try from close range.
It was again Gekas who came close, again after a fine cross of Köhler, this time the Greek striker who's performances was decent throughout headed against the cross bar (25'). Meier's chip was denied by Braunschweig keeper Petkovic (34') and Djakpas long range shot was very close but went wide (41').
The hosts had a chance in between but Nikolov again denied them the equaliser, this time Kumbela had a go. Just ahead of the break Meier was brought down in the Braunschweig box, referee added to his tally of debatable decisions by not awarding a penalty.
Frankfurt also dominated the second half, Gekas chipped the ball over his opponent player and then volleyed it towards the Braunschweig goal - Petkovic saved (58'). The match calmed down slightly, Nikolov justified him starting after 71 minutes when he stopped a Kumbela long range cracker with a great save.
After 72 minutes Matmour replaced Rode and he had a big impact on the final result. Within two minutes he set up Alex Meier twice, the tall Eintracht midfielder scored his 4th and 5th goal of the season. First he headed in a Matmour cross (83') from the right, then he right footed a pass of the Algerian (85') to seal the Eagle's first win away to Braunschweig in nearly 27 years.
Overall it was confident performance by Frankfurt, a real team effort with a calm and focussed approach. 62% ball possession, 84% passing success, 19 shots (with only 5 shots allowed) and 54% one on one duels back up the fact that it was a well deserved win. While the defense seems to grow together (especially the new signings Djakpa, Anderson and Schildenfeld) the midfield (Schwegler, Lehmann) has also improved. Gekas was a real threat up front, Köhler and Meier impressed not only by scoring the goals. Alex meier has now scored 5 goals in 3 matches, and also 8 of the last 10 Eintracht goals in 2. Bundesliga.
The Eagles moved up in th standings to second place. Coming up on matchday 4 is a real cracker - Frankfurt will host top of the league Fortuna Düsseldorf on Monday the 15th of August at 20.15h CET.
