Eintracht Frankfurt qualified for the next round of the DFB-Pokal with a 3-1 (0:0) away win at second-division side Hamburger SV. Robin Koch (56th minute), Jonathan Burkardt (71st) and Younes Ebnoutalib (75th) scored for the visitors, with Terem Moffi (79th) netting a consolation for HSV. This victory followed a 1-0 Bundesliga defeat away to Borussia Dortmund last Saturday.
The Match
A goalless first half saw Eintracht Frankfurt control possession and create the better chances without finding the breakthrough. The deadlock was broken from a set-piece shortly after the interval. A Mario Götze corner found Robin Koch in the box, who headed home to make it 1-0. About fifteen minutes later, Jonathan Burkardt doubled the lead following a combination with Götze. Younes Ebnoutalib, now the team's top scorer this season with five goals, made it 3-0 after an assist from Farès Chaïbi. Terem Moffi pulled one back for Hamburg, but a comeback never materialised.
"The attitude was right from the start, we maintained the pressure and took our chances," he said post-match. The victory is timely, as a Bundesliga record of just eight points from seven games and 14th place in the standings had recently caused concern. Their form over the last five competitive matches shows a mixed picture with three wins and two losses. In the league, their record stands at two wins, three losses and two draws, having scored 10 goals and conceded 17.
Looking Ahead
The focus now shifts to carrying this momentum into the league. Eintracht Frankfurt host Hamburger SV at the Waldstadion in the Bundesliga return fixture this Sunday. Another win against the 11th-placed side could push the team up the mid-table and close the nine-point gap to leaders Bayern Munich. The upcoming challenges in the fixtures list will be key for defining their season. The team will aim to continue their recent run of three wins from their last five matches.
