Eintracht Frankfurt overcame an early challenge to earn a 2:1 victory against Ajax Amsterdam in the Europa League round of 16. Despite Ajax’s initial dominance and a goal from Brian Brobbey, Frankfurt rallied with a deflected equalizer from Hugo Larsson and a decisive goal from Ellyes Skhiri. The team aims for continued success in the return leg, with coach Dino Toppmöller urging caution against complacency as they strive for a place in the quarter-finals.
Eintracht Frankfurt Triumphs in Amsterdam
Eintracht Frankfurt has successfully put their Bundesliga disappointments behind them, securing a remarkable victory in Amsterdam despite an early setback. This win has sparked dreams of significant success among fans and players alike.
A Reggae Anthem Resurfaces
Ajax Amsterdam boasts an unofficial club anthem that has become a beloved part of their identity. It was during a friendly match in Cardiff back in 2008 that Dutch supporters reignited their passion for reggae legend Bob Marley. The song ‘Three Little Birds,’ often recognized by its catchy line ‘Don’t Worry About a Thing,’ has since woven itself into the fabric of Ajax culture.
As Eintracht Frankfurt faced Ajax in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16, the familiar tune echoed through the stadium at halftime. The Amsterdam crowd sang along with enthusiasm, exuding a message of optimism: ‘Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.’ However, the night unfolded favorably for the visiting team.
Sports director Markus Krösche praised the team’s resilience following their 2:1 victory, noting, “It was a good away game.” Coach Dino Toppmöller echoed this sentiment, calling the team’s response to the early deficit ‘fantastic.’
Facing Early Challenges
Eintracht had a strategic approach against the Dutch champions, with Toppmöller deploying the quick-footed Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Ansgar Knauff on the wings to create advantageous situations. However, the first ten minutes saw Ajax dominating the play.
Brian Brobbey, a formidable force, initially hit the post just two minutes in before scoring for Ajax eight minutes later, assisted inadvertently by Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp and part of the defense. Following recent heavy losses to Bayern and Leverkusen, it appeared that Eintracht might crumble once more.
Yet, they took Marley’s advice to heart and remained steadfast in their strategy. Knauff, who had missed a prime opportunity for an equalizer shortly after going down, was a key player in demonstrating Eintracht’s determination. Their patience paid off when Hugo Larsson leveled the score with a deflected long-range shot in the 33rd minute, followed by Ellyes Skhiri sealing the game in the 70th minute after a brilliant setup by Knauff.
Looking ahead, the return leg in Frankfurt takes place next Thursday at 6:45 PM, with the team aiming for a spot in the quarter-finals. Larsson has made it clear that this journey is far from over, stating, “If we play like we did today, we will be in it until the end of the competition, and that is also our goal.” However, Toppmöller cautioned against overconfidence, emphasizing that while they have a solid start, there is still work to be done. If Eintracht continues to perform as they did in Amsterdam, the fans can rest easy knowing their team is ready to compete. Bob Marley would certainly approve.