Borussia Dortmund overturned a 0-1 deficit against Eintracht Frankfurt in the final home game for Brandt, Süle, and Özcan. A young talent marked a spectacular goal-scoring debut, while Eintracht coach Riera’s tenure is becoming increasingly precarious.
Eintracht Frankfurt has lost a crucial match for their embattled coach Albert Riera and faces uncertainty regarding qualification for the European Cup. The Eagles succumbed to a 2-3 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in a hard-fought duel, a result that could spell the end for the under-fire coach. Sporting director Markus Krösche recently avoided a clear endorsement of Riera, only confirming that Riera would remain on the bench for the final matchday against VfB Stuttgart, despite the loss.
Krösche declined to comment on whether Riera would continue as Eintracht’s coach beyond that. «We lost the game today. It’s extremely frustrating, of course. Now, it’s about all of us winning the game against Stuttgart together,» he responded to the question. «And then we will sit down, as we always do, and talk.»
The performance on Friday evening had initially shown promise. Can Uzun (2′) put Frankfurt ahead shortly after kickoff, in the presence of national coach Julian Nagelsmann and DFB sporting director Rudi Völler. However, a brace before halftime from Serhou Guirassy (42′) and Nico Schlotterbeck (45’+1) signaled the beginning of another defeat for the Frankfurt side.
While BVB secured second place in the league with Samuele Inacio’s first Bundesliga goal (72′) and national player Felix Nmecha made his comeback after a seven-week injury layoff, Riera stood in his coaching zone, sometimes looking stunned, sometimes frustrated. For the first time in five years, the Eagles might miss out on international competition. Jonathan Burkardt’s late consolation goal (87′) came too late.
«We’ll wait and see what happens over the weekend. Then we have a home game where we’ll give everything,» said Frankfurt’s Mario Götze to Sky. «We have to see where we end up. That’s all that matters.» Maximilian Beier expressed satisfaction after the victory: «We’re second, that was our goal, great.»
Riera Faces Dismissal at Eintracht Frankfurt
The Spaniard Riera has been the Eintracht coach since early February, succeeding the dismissed Dino Toppmöller. However, Riera has failed to stabilize the team sportingly, and his public appearances have often seemed awkward. According to various media reports, the match in Dortmund was considered decisive – a separation before the final home game next Saturday against VfB Stuttgart was not ruled out.
On Friday in Dortmund, a particular tactic by Riera paid off directly: Mahmoud Dahoud was allowed to play for the first time since February 21st and was immediately involved. He was unstoppable in a dribble against four Dortmund players and passed the ball to Uzun, who finished impressively.
However, the opening goal did not give the Frankfurt side control for long. BVB, who had bid farewell to their professionals Julian Brandt, Salih Özcan, and Niklas Süle, as well as sporting director Sebastian Kehl who was released in March, before this final home game of the season, missed a huge equalizer opportunity through Inacio (17′). Michael Zetterer made a strong save against the Italian’s header.
The goalkeeper was equally powerless against Guirassy’s direct shot and Schlotterbeck’s finish. The goals conceded just before halftime seemed to be a shock for the Frankfurt team. Thanks to Zetterer, who saved against Julian Ryerson (60′), the narrow deficit remained for the time being. Uzun (62′) missed the equalizer during one of Frankfurt’s few attacks.
Dortmund controlled the game, Brandt (68′) was denied by Zetterer and was then substituted to a standing ovation. The Frankfurt players struggled, mostly chasing the ball and rarely posing a threat. In the closing stages, Nmecha celebrated his comeback, and shortly before that, Inacio scored. Burkardt’s goal gave Frankfurt a brief flicker of hope. In the final phase, Niklas Süle, who has announced the end of his career, also got some playing time.