Jonathan Burkardt rescued a point for ten-man Eintracht Frankfurt with a stoppage-time backheel in a 2-2 draw at SC Paderborn. The fixture was overshadowed by a serious medical emergency involving a Frankfurt supporter, which shifted the focus away from the football.
Burkardt had initially put the visitors ahead in the first half with a header from a Farès Chaïbi cross. Raphael Obermair equalised for Paderborn before the break. The game seemed to turn when Elias Baum was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, and Marvin Pieringer converted a penalty for the hosts shortly after. But in added time, Burkardt flicked home a close-range delivery with his heel to secure the draw. The goalscorer explained he just tries to put the ball on goal as well as he can. He said he was very happy it went in and they could still celebrate getting a point.
Emergency overshadows match
The sporting drama took a backseat early on after a fan fell from the Frankfurt away section and was taken to hospital by ambulance. His condition was later described as stable. A sombre mood fell over the stadium, with both sets of supporters falling silent. Manager Adi Hütter summed up the prevailing sentiment, saying football becomes secondary when a human life is at stake.
With the point, Eintracht Frankfurt remain unbeaten in the current season and temporarily climb to ninth place in the standings. Adi Hütter's team now has 11 points from eight matchdays, with a record of three wins, two draws and three losses. They are seven points off the top of the table. The attack, led by top scorer Younes Ebnoutalib who has six goals this season, was again on show in Paderborn, but the defence conceded for the eighth time this campaign, having let in 18 goals while scoring 13. Their recent form over the last five matches reads three wins, one draw and one loss.
Looking ahead to Hoffenheim
Eintracht must now use the international break to prepare for their next competitive fixture. On Saturday 21 November, the team will host TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, who currently sit 13th, at the Waldstadion. Hoffenheim are the next Bundesliga opponent. Before the break, Hütter's side celebrated a 3-1 home win against Hamburger SV, preceded by a narrow 1-0 defeat in Dortmund. The full schedule for the upcoming matches can be found on the club's fixtures page.
This story first appeared at FAZ Sport
Manager Adi Hütter thanked SC Paderborn on November 8th for their gesture following the medical emergency involving a Frankfurt fan. "That was a great human gesture we will not forget," Hütter said. Eintracht are ninth with 12 points after the 2-2 draw in Paderborn.
Eintracht Frankfurt confirmed on Tuesday that striker Jonathan Burkardt was selected for the Bundesliga Team of the Week for his brace in the 2-2 draw at Paderborn. The attacker scored both of Frankfurt's goals. The team is in 9th place with 12 points and has scored 15 goals this season but also conceded 20.
On November 9, manager Adi Hütter gave details about Ansgar Knauff's head injury in the match against Paderborn. "He had dizzy spells. We had to take him off," said Hütter. The player was treated after a collision in the 9th minute but played on until halftime. His misplaced pass reportedly led directly to the 1-1 equalizer by Raphael Obermair. Eintracht Frankfurt is in 10th place with 12 points.
On November 9, a spokesperson for Eintracht Frankfurt stated that the injured fan is in a "correspondingly critical condition." The supporter had fallen several meters before kick-off in Paderborn. Captain Robin Koch conveyed wishes for a speedy recovery on behalf of the team. Eintracht are in 10th place with 12 points.
