Luka Jovic scores again as Eintracht Frankfurt triumph over Hannover
Eintracht Frankfurt’s quest for European football continued with a 3-0 victory over Hannover with goals from Ante Rebic, Luka Jovic, and Filip Kostic.
Hannover 0-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 0-1 Rebic (54’), 0-2 Jovic (63’), 0-3 Kostic (90’)
Hannover began the match hoping that home comforts could help them withstand one of Europe’s most dangerous attacks and bounce back after last weekend’s disappointing result. Frankfurt had the better of the early chances, though; with less than five minutes played, Jovic found himself alone past the Hannover back line with the ball at his feet and Rebic to his right. The striker opted to go for a chip, only to see the ball sail harmlessly into the keeper’s arms. The chances kept coming for the visitors when Michael Esser rushed off his line after Sebastien Haller sprung the offside trap. The Frenchman couldn’t find a teammate in the centre, however, and Hannover were able to clear their lines. After surviving the initial scares, Hannover were able to settle and looked somewhat dangerous on the counter, even if the final ball was missing. The frantic pace slowed as the half progressed, potentially as a consequence of Frankfurt’s midweek Europa League exertions against Shakhtar. Hannover had a golden chance to take the lead when a cross flew perfectly into the centre of the box when Müller was waiting. The striker just misstimed his volley and the ball went wide of Kevin Trapp’s goal. In the final minutes of the half, Frankfurt once again looked the more likely to score as Jovic twice got himself into a dangerous position only to fire his shot into Esser’s midriff.
At the beginning of the second half, Hannover looked buoyed by their ability to weather the storm and tested Trapp with two early chances. However, they would be unable to hold back the Frankfurt tide. Jovic and Rebic would combine to greater effect than they had early in the first half with the former finding the latter to the left of the box, from where the World Cup finalist made no mistake. Despite having gone behind, the hosts refused to let their heads drop and pressed for an equaliser. However, Frankfurt had found their rhythm and would not be denied. Kostic’s initial cross was turned away by the Hannover defence only to the feet of the same man, whose second attempt found the head of a completely unmarked Jovic to double his side’s advantage. Hannover were unable to muster a response strong enough to salvage something. In the final minute of regulation time, Kostic capped off Frankfurt’s fine display with a third goal from a lightning counter attack. The three points puts the Eagles in contention for European football.
Match stats
- Hannover have the joint-worst home record in this season's Bundesliga (10 points from 12 matches).
- The home side had slightly more possession (50.62 per cent) and more touches of the ball (576 vs. 562) but could not translate it into goals.
- Frankfurt's new arrival Almamy Toure made his Bundesliga debut following his January move from Monaco and in so doing became the first Malian to play for the club and the fourth to feature in the Bundesliga.
- With Toure in the line-up, Frankfurt have now fielded 29 different players this season, a league high.
- Jovic’s goal took him two goals clear of Robert Lewandowski atop the Bundesliga scoring charts with 15 strikes to his name.
- By scoring the game's opening goal, Rebic has now scored eight goals, as many as he managed in his first two Bundesliga seasons combined.
Line-ups
Hannover: Esser – Felipe, Anton (c), Wimmer, Ostrzolek – Müller (Muslija 65’), Bakalorz (Wood 65’), Schwegler, Haraguchi – Asano (Jonathas 75’), Weydandt
Unused subs: Sahin-Radlinger, Albornoz, Korb, Fossum
Out: Akpoguma (dislocated shoulder), Bebou (thigh), Füllkrug (knee), Hübers (knee), Maina (knee), Sarenren Bazee (shin), Walace (suspended)
Coach: Thomas Doll
Frankfurt: Trapp – Hinteregger, Toure, N'Dicka – da Costa, Hasebe (c), Rode (Willems 75’), Kostic – Rebic (Gacinovic 90 +1) – Haller (Paciencia 86’), Jovic
Unused subs: Rönnow, Falette, de Guzman, Abraham
Out: Chandler (knee), Stendera (illness), Torro (pelvis), Fernandes (muscular), Torro (pelvis)
Coach: Adi Hütter
Watch: Trapp discusses how Frankfurt turned things around at half-time against Hannover
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