In the Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt led SC Freiburg three times and conceded the equalizer three times. It was a spectacular exchange of blows in Breisgau – in Frankfurt Omar Marmoush and Ansgar Knauff stood out.
Nevertheless, the gala performance of the two offensive forces on Sunday (February 18, 2024) was not enough for victory. Freiburg and Frankfurt drew 3:3 (2:2). Frankfurt’s Marmoush scored the first goal (27th) and set up both goals for double packer Ansgar Knauff (35th, 72nd). Marmoush has been involved in all four Eintracht goals since his return from the Africa Cup (two goals, two assists).
Ritsu Doan (30th), Vincenzo Grifo (penalty kick, 45th + 5) and Michael Gregoritsch (90th) each equalized for Freiburg.
Early fan protests and injury to Frankfurt’s Kalajdzic
Before the game could really get going, there were fan protests against the investment of investors in the German Football League (DFL). Objects flew onto the field, and after about five minutes of compulsory break, things really started.
But the flow of the game was interrupted again, this time due to the early injury of Frankfurt striker Sasa Kalajdzic, who went to the ground without any impact from the opponent and grabbed his knee. He hobbled off the field and was replaced by Knauff (11th).
Marmoush throws Freiburg’s defense into disarray
Until then, little had happened in terms of play, although Eintracht was definitely the more active team. The SGE won more duels, skilfully narrowed the spaces and worked more precisely up front: A cross from Philipp Max found Marmoush, Freiburg’s Yannik Keitel was in a more than awkward position and also slipped, Marmoush then had a lot of space and had no trouble pushing in.
The striker finally became Frankfurt’s player in the first half when he set up Joker Knauff’s second SGE goal in an exemplary manner on a counterattack. Frankfurt was extremely efficient with asset Marmoush – and only needed two shots for his two goals in the first half.
“In the end, both teams wanted to win. We have to see what this point is worth. We left a rival for the international places four points behind us,” analyzed Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller after the game on the Sportschau microphone.
Kira Rutkowski, sports show, February 18, 2024 6:29 p.m
Freiburg responds more efficiently with Eintracht
The hosts were distinguished early in the evening by the fact that they had a suitable answer to the goals conceded twice in the first half. Because Doan made it 1-1 just three minutes after Marmoush’s goal. This was preceded by a ball win after a throw-in for the SGE. Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp let Roland Sallai’s finish clap, Doan pushed in.
And the equalizer to 2-2 was helped by a goal from Eintracht veteran Makoto Hasebe. The 40-year-old was the last link in a chain of errors – Frankfurt’s attempt to play a goal kick from low behind failed. Tuta sluggishly headed the ball back to Hasebe, Lucas Höler splashed in between them, and Hasebe hit him in the penalty area. Grifo converted the penalty.
Remote-controlled model airplanes cause disruption
In the second half there were again fan protests and an interruption, this time two remote-controlled model airplanes flew over the field. Freiburg coach Christian Streich marched angrily in front of the corner because his team had just been in the middle of an attack (52nd). The protests continued and Stieler asked the teams into the dressing room (58th).
A remote-controlled model airplane flies through the Freiburg football stadium.
Third equalizer by Freiburg’s Gregoritsch shortly before the end
Freiburg then racked their brains, trying mainly to cross. But first, Eintracht cheered again. Once again it was Marmoush who had an eye for his teammate and fed Knauff, whose powerful shot hit the goal.
Ann-Kathrin Rose, Sportschau, February 18, 2024 5:47 p.m
But Freiburg actually came back a third time: Gregoritsch, who had replaced Höler in the 77th minute, was the beneficiary in the crowd after a corner that was not cleared by Frankfurt.
“We came back very well three times and gave everything. But in the end we have to win because we had great chances to score,” Freiburg coach Streich told the Sportschau after the game.
Kira Rutkowski, sports show, February 18, 2024 6:27 p.m
And Eintracht were lucky in the end: Florent Muslija almost turned the game around from a long distance (90.+7), and Tuta cleared the ball after Gregoritsch finished on the line (90.+9).
Freiburg and Frankfurt on the European stage
Before SC Freiburg continues in the Bundesliga, there is the playoff second leg in the Europa League. After the goalless draw in the first leg, Freiburg will then host French club RC Lens (Thursday, 6:45 p.m.).
Eintracht Frankfurt can also compete on the European stage – the Hessians have the second leg of the Conference League against Union Saint-Gilloise coming up (Thursday, 9 p.m.). The first leg in Belgium ended 2-2.
Both will therefore only compete in the league on Sunday. Freiburg has an away game at FC Augsburg (7.30 p.m.), SGE hosts VfL Wolfsburg (3.30 p.m.).