Frankfurt safe after humbling Hoffenheim
Frankfurt - Eintracht Frankfurt put an end to any lingering relegation fears thanks to a clinical 3-1 win at home to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
Eagles soar
Goals from Bastian Oczipka, Haris Seferovic and Timothy Chandler capped a dominant first-half showing, with Hoffenheim unable to turn the tide despite pulling one back through Kevin Volland.
Frankfurt were rewarded for an adventurous start when Oczipka nestled a wicked free kick into the far corner after 17 minutes. The visitors had a glorious chance to level moments later, but Kevin Trapp denied Adam Szalai one-on-one, with Roberto Firmino heading over on the follow-up. The Eagles doubled their lead with their next attack as Seferovic collected Marc Stendera’s fine through-ball and dispatched beyond Baumann. Hoffenheim fell further behind before the half was out after Chandler glanced in from Oczipka's cross.
Markus Gisdol’s side gave themselves a lifeline early in the second half as Volland thundered in an unstoppable free kick from 20 yards. Steven Zuber tested Trapp, but Frankfurt's defenders otherwise had little to do and saw out the remainder of the contest with minimum fuss. The result means Thomas Schaaf’s men are mathematically sure of a place in the Bundesliga next term, but leaves Hoffenheim needing a massive stroke of luck to qualify for next season’s UEFA Europa League.
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