In a topsy-turvy encounter, the Eagles responded to Ridle Baku’s early opener (6’) to lead 2-1 at the break, only for Wout Weghorst to level things up at the start of the second half. André Silva (54’) and Erik Durm (61’) then gave Adi Hütter’s men a two-goal advantage, and although Tuta’s own goal (85’) set up a nervy finish, Eintracht held on to move within a point of their opponents.
Kamada in for Younes
Hütter made just one change to his line-up following the 2-1 win at Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 27. Amin Younes, who went off injured in that game, dropped to the bench with Daichi Kamada taking his place behind the front two.
Eagles turn it around
The contest between fourth and third certainly lived up to expectations from the off. The visitors made a bright start and took the lead after just six minutes, when Baku cut inside from the right and curled the ball into the far corner. But the Eagles responded promptly and were level just two minutes later. Durm’s square pass from the right was cleverly dummied by Sebastian Rode for Kamada, who swept it home for his fifth goal of the campaign.
With the score level again, the action continued to swing back and forth. Filip Kostic’s free-kick was headed onto the bar by Jovic – although the offside flag went up anyway – while at the other end, the impressive Baku came close to putting Wolfsburg back in front. Eintracht’s turnaround was complete on 27 minutes when Silva got to the byline and did brilliantly to keep the ball in and cut it back to his strike partner Jovic, who powered it past Koen Casteels in the Wolfsburg goal. Maximilian Arnold and Weghorst had half-chances for the Wolves before half-time, but it remained 2-1.
No let-up in the action
Eintracht were caught napping right at the start of the second half, giving the ball away to Baku in dangerous territory. He fed Weghorst, whose shot took a deflection off Stefan Ilsanker on the way in. It looked like the visitors were in the ascendancy at this point but it was the Eagles who grabbed the crucial next goal, Kamada winning possession and supplying Silva, who drove the ball past Casteels for his 23rd goal of the season.
Just seven minutes later, it was 4-2. Silva struck the post from Kostic’s pass and instead the goal came from an unlikelier source, as Durm reacted quickest to the rebound and netted his first goal in a Frankfurt shirt. Wolfsburg didn’t give up and remained a constant threat, but the Eagles were disciplined in defence and even had a couple of chances to extend their lead through Silva (74’) and Jovic (79’). The tension increased again when substitute Maximilian Philipp broke free and Tuta lifted the ball over his own goalkeeper as he tried to clear, but Eintracht clung on.
Summary: Ruthlessness and character
Wolfsburg had more possession and more shots on goal in this highly entertaining match, but the Eagles again showed their killer instinct in scoring four goals against the second-best defence in the Bundesliga.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Ilsanker, Ndicka – Durm (Chandler 89’), Sow, Rode (Hasebe 89’), Kostic – Kamada (Zuber 90’+2) – Jovic (Younes 83’), Silva
Goals
0-1 Baku (6’)
1-1 Kamada (8’)
2-1 Jovic (27’)
2-2 Weghorst (46’)
3-2 Silva (54’)
4-2 Durm (61’)
4-3 Tuta o.g. (85’)
