Jonathan Burkardt extends Eintracht Frankfurt's wait for the Champions League
With a win against Mainz 05, Eintracht Frankfurt could have secured their place in the Champions League – but their plan failed. Jonathan Burkardt once again had the goal in the 57th minute, scoring a 1-1 (1-0) draw after Rasmus Kristensen had given Eintracht the lead (16th minute).
With 56 points, Frankfurt remains third and maintains a very comfortable five-point lead over fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund. Coach Dino Toppmöller's team has another Champions League match point next weekend against FC St. Pauli. Third place is also hard to beat, with SC Freiburg, their closest rival, trailing by four points and 23 goals. The draw helps Mainz even less, however; in seventh place, the surprise team of the season is two points behind RB Leipzig (6th).
Frankfurt, in particular, showed from the start that they were determined to seize the opportunity to secure a place in the Champions League with a win. Hugo Ekitiké had a great chance to take the lead in the first minute, but Lasse Rieß made a strong start on his Mainz debut with a good save. The 23-year-old was forced to replace Robin Zentner at short notice, who was sidelined due to muscular problems.
Kristensen scores a goal for himselfHowever, Rieß was powerless in his second major challenge. Kristensen won the ball and initiated a Frankfurt counterattack, which the Dane coolly finished in front of the opposing goalkeeper after a pass from Ekitiké (16'). This goal had a huge impact, ensuring that Eintracht Frankfurt could no longer be pushed out of the Bundesliga's top four at that point – while Mainz's hopes of reaching Europe continued to dwindle.
Coach Bo Henriksen's team then recovered and gradually improved. Andreas Hanche-Olsen had the first good chance following a corner, but headed over (34'). The game had been interrupted for several minutes because Frankfurt fans threw black balls of paper (as well as cups and a lighter) at Nadiem Amiri. A plastic flagpole was also thrown, which the assistant referee got hit with.
Lee's kneecap prevents Mainz from equalizingShortly before halftime, Mainz even celebrated in the long eight minutes of added time – but only briefly. Jae-sung Lee headed the equalizer to make it 1-1, but the South Korean's kneecap caused a slight offside (45'+4'). Thus, Frankfurt remained in the lead after the first half.
Otherwise, it was a real battle, with intense duels and few footballing highlights. This continued in the second half, though Frankfurt managed to contain the visitors' attacking momentum more effectively at the beginning.
Burkardt's thigh ensures Mainz's equaliserBut then, more or less by chance, Mainz had real cause to celebrate. After a long throw-in, the ball flew through the penalty area, and at the far post, Burkardt stabbed it over Kevin Trapp with his thigh to make it 1-1 (57'). Kristensen arrived too late in this instance, and his attempt to clear the ball didn't hit Burkardt. It was the striker's 16th goal of the season, once again demonstrating his instinct for scoring.
Mainz looked stronger, but Frankfurt had a great chance to retake the lead. Arthur Theate played a pinpoint 60-meter ball to Etikité, who attempted a lob but overshot (69').
In the 88th minute, the Frenchman also missed the last big chance for the hosts, and then Burkardt missed a chance to give the visitors the win (90th minute). So, Frankfurt will have to wait longer for the Champions League and Mainz will have to win at VfL Bochum on Matchday 33, otherwise an outstanding season for the 05ers will end without a European happy ending.
sportschau
