Marmoush carries Frankfurt past Kiel with two goals and two assists

Dino Toppmöller's Eintracht Frankfurt have shaken off Thursday's Europa League disappointment and extended their Bundesliga winning streak to four consecutive matches. Since dropping their 2024/25 season opener against Dortmund, Frankfurt have beaten Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg, Gladbach, now Kiel. The SGE's leading goal-scorer Omar Marmoush helped his team fend off a feisty performance from Marcel Rapp's "Schleswig Störche". Two goals and two assists from Marmoush now give the 25-year-old 11 scorer points in seven appearances across all competitions. 

Toppmöller made five changes to the XI that lined up for Thursday's Europa League fixture. Lead striker Hugo Ekitiké (suffering with adductor issues) was given a break and not selected for the match-day squad. Niels Nkounkou also didn't make the team. Thursday starters Ellyes Skhiri, Mahmoud Dahoud, and Ansgar Knauff were rotated to the bench. Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe, Robin Koch, Hugo Larsson, Fares Chaibi, and new summer addition Aurele Amenda served as the five fresh faces.

Amende made his Eintracht debut in a 3-1-4-2 behind Tuta working as sweeper and captain. Thursday starting debutant Igor Matanovic led the line, supported by the very much in-form Marmoush in a short-striker role. Kiel trainer Rapp went with two changes from last round's draw with VfL Bochum. Second half substitutes Lasse Rosenboom and Shuto Machino were rewarded for their positive impact in the result, taking the places of Tymoteusz Puchacz and Andy Kelati. 

The new attacking tandem of Marmoush and Matanovic took some time to begin clicking before producing a pair of chances just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark. The former came close to opening the scoring on a pair of efforts in the 16th and 18th. Marmoush would finally get his goal in the 25th. The sequence leading up to Frankfurt's 1-0 did feature some sketchy defending from Max Geschwill and Carl Johansson, not to mention suspect goalkeeping from Kiel net-minder Timon Weiner. 

It was not long before the North German hosts were given a chance to equalize, however. Returning SGE defender Koch displayed some rust when tackling Lewis Holtby in the box in the 29th. Machino registered his second goal in as many matches by dutifully converting from the spot in the 31st. The Hessen-guests appeared a little rattled for a time, but were able to regain their rhythm shortly before the end-of-the-half. Marmoush received a pair of chances to restore the lead before the half-time.

Eintracht's Egyptian international didn't miss a beat after it was time for play to resume. Marmoush dug out a quality corner in the 47th. Matanovic netted the 2-1 off the ensuing set-piece, heading home Marmoush's service. To their immense credit, the response from the Storks was once again swift. Kiel scored off their own corner in the 50th. A poor collective clearance from the SGE and a Larsson ball loss enabled Machino to score his second and restore parity.

Marmoush punched back forcefully, nearly setting up the 3-2 with some excellent prep work in the 61st. The SGE's "man-of-the-moment" was somewhat lucky to receive a deflected ball at his feet in the 65th, yet still finished strongly. Marmoush countered Machino's scorer's brace with one of his own and the RheinMainAdler were back in front.  

Toppmöller's anointed skipper for the day Tuta added the decisive 4-2 in the 74th, assisted by none other than the 32-times-capped Pharaoh. Marmoush picked up his second assist credit and on the day by smoothly dancing his way past Geschwill on the right and setting up Tuta with a simple square ball. 

The air pretty much came out of the match after that. Surely keeping Thursday's late collapse in mind, Toppmöller's side sat deep and defended until the full-time whistle blew. Rapp's Storks weren't able to get so much as a sniff of goal. Matters came to a subdued conclusion.