Eagles show steely side to hold Foals
Frankfurt - Eintracht Frankfurt coach Thomas Schaaf extended his record against Borussia Mönchengladbach to 14 home games in a row without defeat as his side took a point from a goalless draw at the Commerzbank Arena.
Bright start
The hosts did most of the running and had more chances to take maximum points, but ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils after both sides were guilty of some wayward finishing.
There was a good flow to the game early on, with both teams favouring an open approach to the game, leading to attacks on both sides. Frankfurt chose to adopt an expansive approach in response to Gladbach's counter-attacking style, although they nearly fell behind when Max Kruse teed up the in-form Patrick Herrmann, only for the 24-year-old to fire his first shot at Kevin Trapp and send the rebound over.
The Eagles' reply was a break of their own which culminated in Haris Seferovic dragging his shot wide of the target. After Christoph Kramer then hesitated in unleashing a shot on goal at the other end, Frankfurt spurned the final opportunity of the first half when Bastian Oczipka miscued a cross to Seferovic and the opening was wasted.
Fervent hosts
At the end of the first half, the statistics would have encouraged Frankfurt, who with nine shots to Gladbach's six were on top. The Eagles may have failed to score before half-time for the first time in four home games, but that was no indication that Schaaf was not going to extend his record of never having been beaten by a side coached by Lucien Favre.
Indeed, it appeared Schaaf had the measure of his counterpart in the opposite dugout as his side continued to carve out openings. Slobodan Medojevic's shot early in the second half did not have the legs on it to test Yann Sommer, but it was a further sign that Frankfurt retained a threat. Nelson Valdez then headed Bastian Oczipka's free-kick wide as Gladbach failed to find their earlier rhythm.
No way through
Schaaf was forced into an unscheduled change when Medojevic was unable to continue after a challenge with Raffael, but his replacement Timothy Chandler fit seamlessly into the fray and was on the field when the biggest chance of the game arrived for Aigner, who drilled his shot wide of the right-hand upright having cut inside the defender into a position from which he should have scored.
Gladbach almost appeared resigned to taking only a point as they sat deeper and deeper, although they did enjoy the final opportunity of the game, substitute Thorgan Hazard firing straight at Kevin Trapp, but a goal would have been harsh on the hosts. The results keeps the Eagles on course for a potential place in the UEFA Europa League next season, while the Foals remain primed for a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League .
Line-ups and statistics
