Sunday, April 3, 2022

Wasted Opportunity: Eintracht Frankfurt 0:0 Greuther Fürth


Saturday was a day of missed opportunity.  Missed opportunity in front of the net, missed opportunity to climb the table, missed opportunity to take a grasp on this season.  In front of a packed Deutsche Bank Park, Eintracht Frankfurt failed to capitalize on the opportunity presented to them.  Against the worst defense we've seen in the Bundesliga for some time, and with Fürth having earned only one point on the road all season, Die Adler failed to put one past the keeper and earn themselves 3 much-needed points.  

The (almost) Full Stadium played their part.

50,500 people filled Deutsche Bank Park for the first time in what seems like almost a lifetime.  As Hessen relaxes restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the loudest and proudest fans in all of Europe once again got to be the backbone of Die Adler and they did their part.  

Ear blasting renditions of "Hey Eintracht Frankfurt!" "Schwartz-Weiss vie Schnee" and "Im Hartzen von Europa" filled Der Waldstadion at levels they could probably be heard in nearby Wiesbaden.  It was a sight that made you feel good and give you hope that we are beginning to return to normal.  It's been a long two years, and it's easy to forget (especially here in America) the extent and reach of this global pandemic.   As the fans seemed to unleash two years of pent-up frustration, it hit me square in the chest to see that stadium rock with the best fans on the planet once again.  Let's hope this is the norm and not an exception.


Eintracht Dominated Every Phase of the Game except the score.


68% possession, 21 shots, 86% Passing efficiency, 18 key passes, 6 Shots on Target, and 0 goals.  Eintracht spent large portions of the game in the attacking third, only to come away with nothing. Eintracht wasted opportunity after opportunity.  You have to give some credit to Greuther Fürth Goalkeeper Andreas Linde.  He made several key stops including one on Ansgar Knauff's left-footed tester just 2 minutes into the game.  Fürth spent the game sitting in a low block, often with 6 across the back, flooding the midfield and making things very difficult on Kamada and Lindstrøm to connect the final play.  



While the attack managed to dominate the ball, what made Saturday's performance even more dominating is that Fürth was barely able to crack the final third.

Daichi Kamada

Kamada held up a disappointing Bundesliga form.  Had several disappointing moments including a terrible touch and left-footed pass attempt at the 12:00 mark after getting in behind the entire defense and being all alone. His first shot was nowhere near the target, despite being off his strong foot and 10 yards from the goal, his third was a terrible volley after Filip Kostic wove his way through 6 defenders and dropped in a perfect cross.  He had two Eagles onside right in front of the net, but rushed a shot that ended up in the Nord Kurve.

Jesper Lindstrøm

Lindstrøm also had an up and down game.  Was the only Eagle to put one in the net, but deflected the ball with his hand on the run.  Was a big part of the high press, (15 pressures, 53% success rate, 7 in the final third), completed 3 key passes, and had two shots on target.  The first one (42nd minute) he rushed and blasted it right at the keeper, which Linde knocked away.  6" more to the right, or a lofter over Linde's head and it's a goal. The second one was a point-blank left-footer after he'd made a terrific run behind the defense.  The shot wound up right in the chest of Linde.  He found space often, and got 6 shots off, but 2 were badly off target and 2 were blocked.  He had many chances to finish, and Eintracht needed him too.  Lindstrøm has to be a better finisher.  His speed and timing make him Eintracht's most dangerous player.

Kevin Trapp

Saved the game at the 16:43 mark by knocking away Fürth's best chance of the game.  Jetro Willems hit a beautiful slip pass to Branmir Hrgota as the two former Eagles almost broke the game open.  Trapp did a great job anticipating and getting wide, just knocking the ball away to save the goal.  Trapp had a mostly uneventful day as Fürth was having trouble mounting any form of an attack other than the occasional counter, but managed to save the two shots directed at him and keep the clean sheet.



Despite disappointing performance, Die Adler pick up a point.

Eintracht now sit 5 points behind Hoffenheim for the 6th spot in the Bundesliga.  With Hoffenheim's loss to Bochum, Koln's loss to Union Berlin, and Freiburg's loss to Bayern, Eintracht managed to gain a point on several of the teams above them anyway.  Three points would have left them tied with Union Berlin, and only 3 points shy of Hoffenheim.  6 points in 6 games is still doable, but Eintracht HAVE to pick up wins.

Up Next:


UEL - vs. Barcelona
@ Deutsche Bank Park
Thur. April 7, @ 2:00


Eintracht vs. Freiburg
Sunday April 10th, @ 10:30
Eintracht has a chance to do their own dirty work with a game against Freiburg.  

Thanks again for reading, and Forza S.G.E
Brian
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