Meier magic earns Frankfurt victory
Frankfurt - Two goals in five minutes from Alexander Meier extended Eintracht Frankfurt's unbeaten start to the season as they came from behind to beat SC Freiburg 2-1 at the Commerzbank Arena.
Defensive Freiburg
Following a goalless half, Max Kruse put the visitors in front in the 50th minute and despite Frankfurt having a goal ruled out for offside, Meier netted twice to turn the game around. Karim Guede's red card in stoppage time rubbed salt in Freiburg's wounds and capped a frustrating afternoon for the guests.
Freiburg started as they meant to go on, at least for the first 45 minutes, packing the troops in behind the ball and frustrating Frankfurt. The tactics worked, with the home side unable to get any meaningful shots on goal. Even Pirmin Schwegler's 16th-minute effort from a free-kick was probably off target, but Oliver Baumann pushed it behind for a corner just to be sure.
Freiburg's plans were working a dream until Takashi Inui came from deep, starting a run from inside his own half to latch on to a through ball. He had a long way to run, perhaps too long, giving him time to consider several options rather than trusting his instincts. When he reached the onrushing Baumann, he shot straight at the Freiburg goalkeeper just after entering the penalty area. At the other end, Daniel Caligiuri found the outside of the net with Freiburg's first serious attack just seconds later.
First blood Freiburg
Freiburg were keen on playing a more active role in the game in the second half, and this change in approach was rewarded immediately. In the 50th minute, Kevin Trapp saved from Sebastian Freis' after Jonathan Schmid's cross was parried, but the ball fell to Kruse, who placed his shot beyond the Frankfurt custodian.
The goal sparked the home team into life and Meier was caught offside when he thought he was bringing Frankfurt level in the 56th minute. A fine effort from Julian Schuster brought an another stunning save from Trapp in two minutes later as the visitors almost doubled their lead. Yet Frankfurt found an extra gear and pressed forward, with Stefan Aigner finding the side-netting shortly afterwards.
Meier magic
As the game entered its final third, the drama intensified. Goals were ruled out at either end for offside decisions before Meier scored a spectacular equaliser in the 67th minute. His first touch from Bastian Oczipka's cross, with his back to the goal, set him up perfectly to turn and volley the ball unstoppably into the top left-hand corner.
Inui had another good chance on the break, but his final ball was too hard and Baumann was able to pounce on it. Frankfurt got the winner in the 73rd minute, with Oczipka again the provider. Meier expertly met the defender's corner with his head, not needing to add any power to the delivery as the precision beat Baumann and earned Frankfurt their fifth win in six games. Guede let frustration get the better of him in stoppage time with a dangerous foul which earned him a straight red card.
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