Lindstrøm goal gives Frankfurt fairy-tale night in Marseille
Oliver Glasner's men battled ferociously in what was a game shy on fluidity but didn't lack chances, as Lindstrøm struck to give Die Adler their first taste of UEFA Champions League success.
After a disappointing opening matchday defeat to Sporting Lisbon whom they could have beaten with a more clinical performance, Eintracht Frankfurt made the trip to southern France to face Olympique Marseille this evening. The French giants have been flying it on the domestic front sharing the summit of Ligue 1 with PSG, but similarly lost their first group game away to Tottenham. In the end it was a famous night in France for Frankfurt as Jesper Lindstrøm’s goal gave his side a historic 0-1 win and all three points.
The Orange Vélodrome is an intimidating, hostile atmosphere at the best of times and it was no different tonight, however Glasner’s Frankfurt settled brilliantly. After Kolo Muani narrowly headed over moments earlier, Lindstrøm gave the hosts a scare when he weaved into the box until Bailly snuffed out the danger with a fine tackle. Payet and Alexis Sánchez combined nicely for Marseille on 12 minutes, but the Chilean couldn’t hit the target. Just before the 25th minute mark and ex-Nantes player Kolo Muani felt right at home as he ran at the Marseille rear guard. Sadly, the striker’s effort lacked any conviction that could have troubled Pau López in goal.
Just before the whistle sounded with what would have brought an end to a very fragmented half that included 5 offsides, Frankfurt took it upon themselves to write some European folklore of their own. Mario Götze picked up the loose ball to feed Kolo Muani, who in turn passed to find the onrushing Lindstrøm. Fortune favoured Die Adler on this occasion as Marseille’s Rongier misguided the ball into the young Dane’s path whose shot curled beyond Lopes for 0-1. Not least a first UEFA Champions League goal for Eintracht, but a lead to take into the break.
There was a further delay to proceedings upon resumption – Evan Ndicka sustained a knock after a hefty head collision. Frankfurt nearly scored again on 54 minutes, and goal scorer Lindstrøm put his hands to his head when his volley cannoned off the crossbar. Knauff found space in the following move cutting in off the left wing, but the Dortmund loanee perhaps should have gone it alone instead of looking for a teammate in a crowded penalty area. At the other end Trapp was a match for the efforts of on loan Schalke man Amine Harit on the stroke of the hour.
As Marseille rang in the changes, Rongier could have redeemed himself if it wasn’t for Trapp again who pulled off a magnificent point-blank save to maintain the goal advantage. The French side was beginning to assert dominance as Suárez fluffed a guilt edged opportunity with 20 minutes to play. Glasner introduced the more defensive minded Rode for Götze in a bid to shut up shop. Kolo Muani and Kamada should have wrapped it up for Die Adler as the game wore on – both players forcing López into saves either side of a goal adjudged offside by VAR for the unfortunate Japanese international. With six minutes of added time substitute Ebimbe rippled the side netting, but some last gasp defending gave Glasner’s charges victory on a memorable European night.