Schalke upset Frankfurt's Champions League hopes with unlikely 4-3 victory
In what turned out to be a thriller of a match, 2.Bundesliga bound Schalke came out victors and dealt a huge blow to Eintracht Frankfurt’s hopes of a place in the Champions League next season.
| Matthew Hoppe. |
Die Knappen welcomed Frankfurt at the Veltins Arena and got off to an empowering start. Die Adler’s Tuta conceded a foul to Amine Harit in the 15th minute in the 18-yard-box, allowing veteran Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to slot home the opener from his missed penalty rebound that was saved by Kevin Trapp.
Quarter hour later, Frankfurt struck back with an equalizer, thanks to a header by in-form Andre Silva who met Amin Younes’ wonderful curling cross with great accuracy.
The second half witnessed goals galore. Defender Evan N’Dicka towered in Frankfurt’s second of the night from a corner set-piece in the 51st minute. Schalke youth product Blendi Idrizi equalized for the home side just a minute later, credit to a remarkable flick assist by Huntelaar.
Dimitrios Grammozis’ decision to bring on youngster Matthew Hoppe at half-time paid off. The American assisted Florian Flick for Schalke’s third to make it 3-2, before he himself made it 4-2 four minutes later in the 64th minute. He dribbled from the centre half of the pitch to calmly slot the ball past Trappinto the far right corner.
Silva scored his side’s third with a tap-in but was unable to add further to his tally.
Schalke’s victory served as a consolation before they turn their sights to the second-tier.
Frankfurt however, missed out on the opportunity to go past Dortmund in the third place and sit in 5th place with 57 points, with one match left in the season.