DFB-Pokal: Burkardt sends efficient Eintracht to Round of 16 at HSV's expense
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Jonathan Burkardt played a starring role as Eintracht Frankfurt knocked out Hamburger SV from the DFB-Pokal. The Eagles took their chances in a game the hosts squandered several opportunities in both halves.
Despite the fast-paced start to the game, there were no clear-cut chances until the midpoint of the first-half. Noah Atubolu's first intervention was to deny Zakaria El Ouahdi before Albert Grønbæk came close to open the scoring.
Sebastian Bornauw also had a great chance before the half-time break moments after he denied Burkardt with a remarkable last-ditch tackle. However, the experienced center-back had to be substituted at half-time because of an injury. 17-year-old Jason Bissi-Mouelle, who is yet to make his Bundesliga debut, was introduced in a substitution that played a huge role in deciding the tie.
Adi Hütter also made his first substitution five minutes later after Nnmadi Collins was very fortunate not to see his second booking. Another five minutes later, the visitors took the lead with a well-worked move.
Burkardt set up his captain Robin Koch with an easy chance from close range after Can Uzun's pinpoint cross. Atubolu had a couple of difficult moments after that, but Miro Muheim and Terem Moffi were unable to bring the hosts back in the game.
Frankfurt were instead ruthless in front of goal. Mario Götze presented Burkardt with a similar chance to the one that led to his assist, but the striker chested it down this time before his brilliant finish to double their lead. There were a total of five changes by the two coaches after the second goal of the game.
Younes Ebnoutalib was one of them as he replaced the “Man of the Match” Burkardt, and he joined the scoresheet a couple of minutes later. The Germany international scored with a great first-time finish after Fares Chaïbi squared the ball to him.
That was a crucial goal as HSV dominated the last 15 minutes with several chances. However, Moffi's strike from the rebound of Atubolu’s save was the only one Merlin Polzin's side managed to get it over the line.
HSV will head into their Bundesliga game in Frankfurt after back-to-back defeats, while Hütter's side improved their defensive record as they will wait for the Round of 16 draw.
