FRANKFURT – Frankfurter Eintracht has achieved what hardly anyone thought they could do: they were equal opponents against FC Barcelona in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Europa League and achieved a well-deserved 1-1 (0-0) draw. Ansgar Knauff put Frankfurt in the lead in the sold-out arena with 48,000 spectators, and Ferran Torres scored the equalizer. “It was a fantastic performance from the team. In terms of clear chances to score, we could have won. I’m very happy with how disciplined we played, how little we allowed,” said coach Oliver Glasner after the game.

The Frankfurters had to endure the last thirteen minutes after a yellow-red card for Tuta with ten men. Of course, Barca are now the favorites for next week’s second leg, but the Frankfurters are certainly not without a chance at the Camp Nou. During the deserved lap of honor, the enthusiastic spectators loudly demanded an away win. It will be difficult, but not impossible.

As was to be expected, the Frankfurt coach had set up his “regular eleven” over the past few weeks. Martin Hinteregger, most recently suspended, replaced Makoto Hasebe, all other positions remained unchanged. The tactics were clear: Barca took the fun out of the game with many duels and repeatedly put pinpricks. This worked perfectly for a long time. Barcelona had one chance before the break. In the third minute, Ferran Torres pulled off a fantastic long-range shot, but Kevin Trapp made an equally fantastic save.

But then the Frankfurters had the better opportunities. The biggest Djibril Sow in the 7th minute. After her input from Jesper Lindström, he got a free shot twelve meters from the goal, but narrowly missed. Shortly before, Ansgar Knauff had been blocked at the last moment. Eintracht was in the game, frenetically cheered on by their fans, who of course also made a negative impression by burning Pyro. This WILL cost the club dearly once again.

Coach Xavi rages like a Rumpelstiltskin

How much Eintracht annoyed the Catalans became apparent in the final minutes before the break. The actually so calm coach Xavi raged a sideline like Rumpelstiltskin. Every time the referee blew his whistle, he became outraged and started discussions with the fourth referee on the touchline. Barca were not allowed to complain about Serbia’s Srdjan Jovanovic. When in doubt, he then whistled for the prominent guests from Spain. In the 39th minute he had already decided on a penalty after an attack by Busquets against Borré. After fierce protests, he was finally sent to the screen by the video referee and took back the penalty. That was a “fifty-fifty decision”, Busquets had hit the ball and opponent. A yellow card for Filip Kostic just before the break was really annoying for Eintracht. Ronald Aurojo approached Kostic.

Eintracht were at least equal, making up for the visitors’ superiority with great fighting spirit and trying to take advantage of the gaps Barcelona offered. This was not always successful, so that some opportunities were carelessly given away. Overall, however, almost everything was right at Eintracht. Under the eyes of national coach Hansi Flick, Ter Stegen had a lot more to do than Kevin Trapp until the break. But as so often in the last few weeks, Eintracht did not succeed in completing the game.

That changes immediately after the change. Eintracht now had their best time. And that was fully deserved in the 48th minute. It was a hit worthy of the spectacle. After a corner kick, Barca shot too short. Ansgar Knauff got a shot 18 meters from goal and hit the corner. Ter Stegen could fly as he wanted. And just 100 seconds later, Lindström had a great chance to make it 2-0. After a cross from Kostic, he took the ball twelve meters from the goal directly, but just missed.

Eintracht weakens itself in the final phase

After an hour, the Barca coach reacted. He brought Frankie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele with him. And immediately the party turned again. Dembele and De Jong also set up the equalizer in the 66th minute. With a wonderful one-two they freed Torres and he had little trouble passing the ball into the far corner. Now the Spaniards were better in the game, Eintracht was more behind than they would have liked. Coach Glasner then brought in Jens-Petter Hauge for the exhausted Lindstrom.

But then Eintracht weakened itself. In the 61st minute Tuta saw the yellow card, in the 78th minute after another foul the second yellow, i.e. yellow-red. The Brazilian had to leave the field and Frankfurt had to survive the final phase outnumbered. To complete the defense again Glasner Almamy Touré on the field. Daichi Kamada had to go down. But the Frankfurters not only put themselves in the back and defended, they also try to play forward when outnumbered. But of course it got more and more precarious by the minute. The team stood their ground, Barca didn’t get any real chances. “We wanted a good result, we got that. Even before the game I had the feeling we had a chance. I’m firmly convinced that we have a chance to get promoted,” said the Frankfurt coach.