Eintracht Frankfurt exit UEFA Europa League after quarter-final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur
Eintracht Frankfurt were knocked out of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League following a narrow home loss to Tottenham Hotspur in their quarter-final second leg.
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Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs win 2-1 on agg.) Goals: 0-1 Solanke (pen. 43')
It was all set up to be another memorable night for 2021/22 Europa League winners Frankfurt following last week's 1-1 draw in London. Hugo Ekitiké was on target in the first leg, but the Frenchman ploughed a lonely furrow for long periods at Deutsche Bank Park. Eintracht weren't helped by the 17th-minute loss of Mario Götze to injury, and their task was made a whole lot harder on the strike of half-time, when Dominic Solanke scored from the spot after Kauã Santos had been penalised for a rash challenge on James Maddison.
Frankfurt substitute Farès Chaïbi fired off a long-range warning shot after the restart, before Spurs defender Cristian Romero ratcheted up the tension in the air by sending a very presentable header off target. Chaïbi forced a superb save from Vicario at the other end as Eintracht turned the screw, with Rasmus Kristensen unable to convert on the rebound. Ekitiké misfired from a late corner as Dino Toppmöller's side - the Bundesliga's last team standing in Europe this season - exited the competition.
Match stats
The defeat ends Eintracht's 11-game unbeaten home run in the Europa League.
Ekitiké is Frankfurt’s biggest attacking threat in 2024/25, with 20 goals and eight assists in all competitions.
Eintracht won the 2021/22 Europa League without losing a single game. Indeed, they were unbeaten in a record-equalling 18 matches in the competition until defeat to Lyon in this season’s league phase.
Frankfurt have scored in all but three of their past 14 matches in all competitions.
London club West Ham United were among the teams Frankfurt beat on their way to lifting the trophy in 2021/22.
As well as Heung-Min Son, Micky Van de Ven and Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso and Timo Werner have also played in the Bundesliga.
Tottenham: Vicario - Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie - Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison (c) (Kulusevski 45'+1) - Johnson (Danso 85'), Solanke, Tel (Sarr 79') Unused subs: Austin, Whiteman, Bissouma, Richarlison, Gray, Spence, Odobert, Davies, Moore Out: Dragusin (knee), Son (foot) Coach: Ange Postecoglou
As it happened!
0 - 1
(0 - 1)
Frankfurt
FINAL
Spurs
Europa League Quarter-final, second leg Quarter-final, second leg Deutsche Bank Park
Full-time: Frankfurt 0-1 Tottenham (1-2 on aggregate)
And it's Spurs that progress to the semi-finals. Solanke's penalty is enough to seal their progress 2-1 on aggregate. Frankfurt will be so frustrated that they couldn't find an equaliser; they certainly had the chances. Unfortunately for the hosts, they all happened to fall to right-back Kristensen, who was unable to put any of them away.
Every chance seems to be falling his way. This time, he has another great chance to shoot after the initial effort is blocked and again he fluffs it.
82'
Massive chance!
That's Frankfurt's best chance of the night. The ball comes into the box low from the left before dropping to Kristensen on his left foot. He has so much of the goal to hit, but he places his shot wide.
80'
Wahi almost makes an immediate impact
Tuta puts in a fantastic cross that Wahi gets on the end of. His header is saved comfortably, though, as it didn't have the power.
Not once but twice. Firstly, Chaïbi forces a brilliant save from Vicario after he gets on the end of Kristensen's cross. Kristensen himself then goes agonisingly close as his header back across goal skims past the far post.
70'
Frankfurt want a penalty
Ekitiké goes down clutching his foot after a challenge from Romero in the box, but the ref waves play on. Didn't look like there was anything in that.
67'
Another corner, another chance
This time, it is Bentancur who goes close from a corner, but his effort goes narrowly over the bar.
Spurs win a corner, the rebound is then worked out to Tel, who skips inside and shoots, but his effort is too high. Spurs look like they want a second.
62'
Tuta tries one
A loose ball falls for the onrushing Tuta on the edge of the box, but his effort is high.
61'
Inches away!
From the resulting corner, Romero goes agonisingly close for Spurs. He gets up highest for the ball in, Santos is in no-man's land, but luckily for him, the header drifts just wide.
60'
Spurs almost work an opening
Kulusevski and Johnson exchange passes in the Frankfurt box, but the former can't get his shot through the bodies.
Should Frankfurt turn this around, then they will be playing the first leg of the semi-final without Kristensen after he picks up a yellow for a poor challenge on Udogie.
The hosts are looking for a way back into this, but so far, every opportunity has been closed down well.
51'
What an effort!
Theate wins a free-kick some 35 yards out. Chaïbi decides to go for goal and he has Vicario scrambling. That wasn't far away.
46'
Back underway in Frankfurt
Can the hosts find the goal they need?
Kick-off!
Half-time: Frankfurt 0-1 Tottenham
A frantic end to what was mostly a slow half as Frankfurt go in at the break 1-0 down. Both sides struggled to create clear chances for most of the half, with any shots being straight at the respective goalkeepers, but after Santos clattered into Maddison, Solanke made no mistake from the spot to make it 1-0 on the night and 2-1 to Tottenham on aggregate.
But not for one of the players. The home coaching staff react angrily as Johnson goes in hard on Brown and one of the staff members is sent off for entering the pitch.
The hosts have a corner to finish the half, but it is headed away.
45'
+ 3
Six minutes added on
Can Frankfurt respond before half-time?
45'
+ 1
Maddison can't continue
Maddison becomes the second player to leave the field with an injury after being on the receiving end of that challenge from Santos. Kulusevski comes on.
Big moment this, Maddison gets on the end of a long ball over the top and heads one towards goal. At the same time, Santos comes flying out and clatters into Maddison at full speed. Maddison's header did hit Santos's head, so he may be alright, but it is certainly a big call.
35'
Spurs cranking up the pressure
After a slow start, the visitors are now getting a hold of the ball and have Frankfurt pinned in.
Ekitiké's pace in behind is a real danger
Fortunately for Tottenham, Van de Ven is one of the fastest players out there.
Frankfurt have put a series of excellent crosses into the box so far, but as of yet, nobody has been able to get a meaningful touch on one. The balls are coming in with real pace, so it won't need much for a flick on to cause problems.
26'
Great effort, good save
Tel picks up the ball just inside the left channel, skips inside and unleashes a strike from 30 yards out that is well saved by Santos.
25'
Another sight of goal for the hosts
This time it is Chaïbi with the shot as he gets his head on a cross from the right, but once again, it is straight at Vicario.
The Frankfurt fans are in fine voice
Although the game itself has lacked quality so far, the Frankfurt fans are certainly creating an incredible atmosphere as the rain pours down.
Johnson gets down the right at pace before finding Bayern loanee Tel in the middle, but he skews his shot wide. That was a good opportunity had he connected properly.
17'
Götze off injured
And unfortunately, Frankfurt's playmaker can't continue. He is replaced by Chaïbi. That's a big blow for the hosts.
Ekitiké is fed through the middle by a long ball and seems to have a chance for 1-0, but Van de Ven recovers magnificently to smother the chance.
15'
Götze now appears to be struggling
More potential bad news for the hosts as Götze goes down holding his hamstring.
10'
Koch down injured
Bit of a worry for Frankfurt this as Koch is down holding his head after a challenge with Solanke but he seems fit to continue after some treatment.
5'
Götze strikes one
Frankfurt's veteran midfielder picks up a loose ball from a corner and hits one, but again it is straight at Vicario.
3'
First shot of the game
Frankfurt come forward well down the left with the cross finding Bahoya, but his shot is tame and simple for Vicario.
1'
And we're underway!
Everything still to play for here. Whoever wins tonight will progress to the semi-finals.
Kick-off!
Players walking on to the field
Not long now until we get underway.
Cracking atmosphere
The Frankfurt fans are certainly creating a good atmosphere ahead of this one as they unveil a massive tifo.
Frankfurt can be optimistic
Tottenham's away record against German opposition in knockout European matches is a poor one, having lost six of their last seven. They have also failed to score in four of the last five of these matches, with their last knockout away game to German opposition ending in a 3-0 defeat to RB Leipzig. However, they did beat Hoffenheim 3-2 away from home in the league phase this season.
More on that Tottenham team
Like Frankfurt, Spurs rested several players at the weekend, but unlike Frankfurt, Spurs were beaten 4-2 at the weekend by Wolverhampton Wanderers. The visitors make a multitude of changes from that defeat, with the likes of former Bundesliga man, Micky Van de Ven, Pedro Porro and Lucas Bergvall coming into the team. Perhaps the biggest news, though, is that captain Son Heung-min misses out through injury.
Not too many surprises in the Frankfurt 11 as one or two players who were rested against Heidenheim at the weekend come back into the team. Those players coming back into the team are Mario Götze, Hugo Larsson and Nathaniel Brown, with the latter seemingly once again taking up an attacking position further up the pitch.
"Playing away in Europe, it's always a challenge. The experiences we've had this year have been good for that, we've visited some tough places in terms of atmospheres - Galatasaray away, Ibrox, AZ. And a lot of our younger players got exposed to that which I think will be helpful. But there's no doubt that come tomorrow, the experienced guys in the squad who have probably been through something similar will be hugely important for us."
“Everyone has to be at 100%, which I’m sure they will be. What’s also important: a good plan, good intensity and a bit of luck. We’re also banking on the home crowd factor.”
Eintracht are confident of reaching the semi-finals regardless of who lines up for Tottenham, but the Eagles' hopes have nevertheless been given an added boost with the news that former Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg attacker Heung-min Son has stayed in London due to a foot injury and will play no part in the second leg.
In 16 games against English sides, Frankfurt have a record of five wins, six draws, and five losses, scoring 15 in the process and conceding 20. However, at home, this record extends to three wins, four draws and only one defeat. Prior to knocking West Ham out of the Europa League semin-finals in the 2021/22 campaign, Eintracht had struggled in two-leg ties against English sides though, losing their four prior ties including a 4-3 defeat on penalties to Chelsea in the 2018/19 Europa League semi-finals.
Frankfurt have only played out one 0-0 draw in their last 64 games in European competitions. Interestingly, it came against Tottenham when they met in the group stage of the 2022/23 instalment of the UEFA Champions League under then-coach Oliver Glasner.
Dino Toppmöller's side have lost only two of their last 24 Europa League matches (14 wins, eight draws) and have won each of their last four home games in the competition.
Watch: All of Hugo Ekitiké's Bundesliga goals and assists
Enjoy this round-up of all the French striker's goal involvements since arriving at Eintracht Frankfurt at the beginning of 2024.
3:57
Watch: Frankfurt's Champions League bid
The Eagles sit third in the Bundesliga and are playing with real swagger. While they're certainly aiming to luft the Europa League this term, there's a strong chance they'll be playing one level up next season.
Scourge of London
Tottenham's fellow Londoners West Ham United were among the teams Frankfurt beat on their way to lifting the trophy in 2021/22. That victory was part of a record-equalling 18 consecutive unbeaten matches in the competition
Frankfurt come into this second-leg clash with Tottenham Hotspur in red-hot form, having dismantled Bundesliga strugglers Heidenheim in their last match. A 3-0 drubbing came courtesy of goals Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, Robin Koch and Ekitiké.
And then there were three
From seven clubs in September, only three German teams remain in Europe this season. Find out how all the Bundesliga’s representatives have got on across the three continental competitions here.
Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of the second leg of Eintracht Frankfurt's quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League, being played at Deutsche Bank Park on Wednesday.
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First-leg report
Hugo Ekitiké was on target as Eintracht Frankfurt drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg.
Dreaming of a repeat of their triumphant 2021/22 Europa League campaign, Frankfurt got off to the perfect start in London. Elyes Skhiri picked off James Maddison's errant pass and found Ekitiké, who matched the quality of the Tunisian's razor-sharp assist with a fabulous finish from 18 yards. Tottenham slowly wrestled back the initiative, though, and were level 20 minutes later courtesy of a well-taken strike on the turn by Pedro Porro. Frankfurt almost got their noses back in front on the stroke of half-time, but Guglielmo Vicario was well placed to deny Ekitiké's attempt following a corner.
Micky van de Ven is one of several Tottenham players to have played in the Bundesliga. - Alex Pantling
Eintracht did well to weather a testing Tottenham storm early in the second half. After Lucas Bergvall rattled the woodwork, Kauã Santos did really well to deny former Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Heung-Min Son before Rodrigo Bentancur sent a corner onto the crossbar and Santos thwarted Maddison at close quarters. Spurs continued to ask all the questions as Bentacur put a header wide and Santos kept out Micky van de Ven's last-gasp attempt, but Frankfurt held on. They now need to win at home on 17 April to reach the last four.
