Eintracht Frankfurt bounced back from recent defeats to secure a 2:1 away victory against Ajax Amsterdam in the Europa League. Despite an early goal from Ajax’s Brian Brobbey, Frankfurt responded with goals from Hugo Larsson and Ellyes Skhiri. The match saw Frankfurt dominate possession and create numerous chances, leading them closer to a quarter-final spot ahead of the decisive second leg next week. Coach Dino Toppmöller’s team displayed resilience, defending well under pressure in the closing moments.
Eintracht Frankfurt Triumphs Over Ajax Amsterdam
Eintracht Frankfurt has rediscovered its offensive prowess during their recent clash against Ajax Amsterdam, securing a well-deserved away victory. Following two challenging defeats to Bayern Munich (0:4) and Bayer Leverkusen (1:4), the Hessians showcased a remarkable performance, defeating Ajax 2:1 (1:1) in the Europa League.
The match started with a setback for Frankfurt as Brian Brobbey opened the scoring for Ajax in the 10th minute. However, the resilient Frankfurt team quickly responded with goals from Hugo Larsson (33rd minute) and Ellyes Skhiri (70th minute). With this win, Eintracht is now just a draw away from securing a spot in the quarter-finals during the second leg next week.
First Half Brilliance from Eintracht Frankfurt
The first half was nothing short of exhilarating. Ajax made a strong start, with Brobbey hitting the post early on (2nd minute) before scoring. Nevertheless, Frankfurt quickly regained their offensive rhythm reminiscent of their previous success. The Hessians took command of the field, applying pressure and creating significant challenges for the Ajax defense.
With standout performances from Hugo Larsson and the lively Mario Götze, Eintracht consistently threatened the Ajax goal. Ansgar Knauff’s speed was evident as he broke through on the right, while Jean-Matteo Bahoya justified his inclusion in the starting lineup with relentless effort on the left. Unlike their prior outings against Bayern and Bayer, the Hessians generated a flurry of chances in the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Despite initial misses from Knauff (11th), Götze (13th), Bahoya (17th), and Arthur Theate (19th), Larsson eventually equalized with a well-deserved goal, aided by a deflection from Brobbey. This was reflected in the halftime shot statistics, with Frankfurt dominating 14:5.
However, the defense faced challenges, especially without their regular captain Robin Koch. The team struggled at times, leading to Brobbey’s goal and other shaky moments from Tuta, Nnamdi Collins, and goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. Despite the defensive inconsistencies, Eintracht delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season by halftime.
In the second half, while the tempo slowed, Eintracht maintained their offensive threat. Ajax struggled to capitalize, and Frankfurt continued to create opportunities. For instance, Brobbey was thwarted by Trapp (52nd), and shortly after, Hugo Ekitiké nearly put Frankfurt ahead after a brilliant setup from Knauff (53rd).
As the match progressed, Ajax found it challenging to break through, prompting Frankfurt to adopt a more conservative approach and appear content with the score. However, rather than settling for a draw, Knauff’s relentless pursuit led to a pivotal assist for Skhiri, who scored and pushed Eintracht closer to the quarter-finals.
In the final moments, Frankfurt faced intense pressure as Ajax sought an equalizer, forcing the Hessians into their own penalty area. Coach Dino Toppmöller’s squad defended bravely against Ajax’s relentless attacks, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory.
The decisive second leg will take place next Thursday at 6:45 PM in Frankfurt, where Eintracht’s Collins will be sidelined due to suspension, just like Ajax captain Jordan Henderson.