An evenly-matched game in Frankfurt ended with a narrow 1-0 win for the hosts, as SV Werder Bremen returned home empty-handed. Mario Götze scored the winning goal for Eintracht just before half-time (45'). The Green-Whites came within inches of netting an equaliser after the break, but were denied first by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and then later by the woodwork.
Line-up and formation: Head coach Ole Werner made four changes to his team following the last-minute home win against Holstein Kiel prior to the international break. Jens Stage (neck problems) and Felix Agu (knee) were both unavailable for selection, and were replaced by Leonardo Bittencourt and Mitchell Weiser. Marco Grüll and Niklas Stark also came into the team, with the former replacing Anthony Jung, who had returned home to Bremen to attend the birth of his second child.
Starting line-up: Zetterer - Stark, Friedl, Veljkovic - Weiser, Lynen, Bittencourt, Köhn - Grüll, Schmid - Ducksch
Substitutes: Backhaus - Deman, Pieper, Njinmah, Malatini, Alvero, Nankishi, Topp
First-half highlights:
6th minute:Etikité plays a ball through for Götze, who is able to get off a shot from close range. Zetterer sticks out a leg to deny the attacker, allowing the Werder backline to clear the ball.
8th minute: Werder's turn to go on the attack. Weiser picks out Köhn on the left, as the winger has time to get off a shot. Unfortunately, it's blocked and goes out for a corner, which Werder are unable to capitalise on.
34th minute: Frankfurt unintentionally play the ball back towards their own goal, allowing Grüll to assume possession and deliver a pass to the centre of the park. Collins is able to intercept it before the ball can arrive at Schmid's feet.
35th minute: Marmoush takes aim from 30 metres out, but Zetterer is able to get his hands up in time and push it wide.
38th minute: Weiser pushes up the right flank once more, delivering a pass to Schmid that the attacker is able to redirect on target. The shot is blocked as the rebound falls to Grüll, who sends his volley wide of the goal.
45th minute: Frankfurt storm down the left side of the pitch, as Brown gets the ball to Ekitiké. The striker has time to cut the ball back to Götze, who has been left with enough space to control the ball and pick where to place it. His shot hits the back of the net, putting the hosts ahead.
Second-half highlights:
51st minute: Werder come out of the dressing room with renewed energy, as Bittencourt takes aim from range. His effort sails wide of the target, however.
66th minute: Marmoush is through on the left-hand side, managing to deliver a cross to the far post. Zetterer is on hand to secure the ball with a well-timed intervention.
76th minute: So close to an equaliser! Ducksch sends in a cross that is met by Weiser just in front of goal. Only a quick save from Kevin Trapp keeps the hosts in the lead, as he pushes the ball over the bar in the nick of time.
80th minute: Another excellent chance for the Green-Whites. Ducksch is involved again, delivering a corner that is flicked on by Stark. His looping header looks to be heading in a t the back post, but instead hits the woodwork. So close!
90th minute +4: Full time. Werder fall to a 2-1 defeat in Frankfurt.
Summary: SVW fall just short in a match in which they would have deserved at least a point. Frankfurt were clinical just before the break, while Werder were unlucky to be denied by the woodwork after the break. In the end, the Green-Whites will return home empty-handed after a performance that they can build on.
