24. Matchday (04.03.2012, 13:30 Uhr)

1 : 0

Eintracht Frankfurt

  24. Matchday   2. Bundesliga

FC Energie Cottbus

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Home Work Done: 1-0

Eintracht Frankfurt did their home work today with a 1-0 win in a difficult match against Energie Cottbus. Erwin 'Jimmy' Hoffer scored the lone goal and the Eagles move back up to spot 2 in the standings.

There were a couple of changes to Eintracht’s starting 11, manager Armin Veh replaced Gordon Schildenfeld with Martin Amedick in the back four and team captain Pirmin Schwegler returned from his injury to the defensive midfield. Initially Matthias Lehmann would have been on the bench but due to a short term change just before kick-off Karim Matmour was left out.

Plenty Of Possession, No Effect

Despite more possession for the Eagles in the opening 15 minutes of the match – around 65% - Energie had a couple of decent scoring opportunities, both attempts were cleared for corners. Eintracht also had a couple of half chances and from a free-kick a header of Martin Amedick took a deflection and went wide (17’).
But it was a first half hour with little excitement on either end, the Eagles struggled to put pressure on Energie’s defense while the guests were trying to create chances with fast breaks but that also hardly happened.

Then Jung had a decent run down the right flank and set up Rode who had a go but Energie keeper Kirschbaum was at the end of his attempt – the best chance of the match so far (31’). But Cottbus also managed to win various corners one of which resulted in a double chance from close range but was cleared off the line (34’). Nothing else happened in a lacklustre first half.

Double Sub, More Power

Eintracht manager Veh made a double substitution at the break, Djakpa replaced Amedick and moved to the left (Butscher moved to the center of defense), Mo Idrissou came on for Lehmann. From a free-kick Anderson and Hoffer came close to scoring with a header but Hoffer’s attempt went wide (46’). The Eagles won various free-kicks on the right (three yellow cards for FCE within two minutes) but despite decent crosses the Cottbus defense was in control. Eintracht’s body language and attitude seemed much improved though and the fans also came back with a good vocal support.

Then Alex Meier was set up by Rode - who was arguably the best man on the pitch - but Meier's chip went wide (67’). Erwin Hoffer showed a more clinical finish minutes later, again Sebastian Rode was involved with a great run and pass, Hoffer converted from close range – 1-0 (69’)!

Sending Off, Hectic Finish

Around 10 minutes after the goal Energie’s Adlung was sent off with a second yellow, once again for a foul on the right (79’). A moment later Jung had a go with a far range shot that came close but was over the bar (80’). Benny Köhler was replaced by Sonny Kittel (87’), shortly after it was Jung again who forced Energie keeper Kirschbaum to make a good save. Eintracht had a few good chances on the counter attack in a hectic final period of the match in which Cottbus also was looking to equalize.

But the win stood, it was hard labour for the Eagles who moved back up to spot 2 in the standings and like the competing teams in the top 5 of Bundesliga 2 collected three points on matchday 24 (1860 will host St. Pauli on Monday). Coming up next is the away match to Hansa Rostock next Sunday at 13.30h CET.

(Holger Ruhl)