Eintracht Frankfurt Eliminated from UEFA Champions League
Knowing their prospects for advancing to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League playoff round were minimal, Eintracht Frankfurt has been officially knocked out of the tournament. Their match in the Azerbaijani capital on Wednesday evening proved disastrous for the RheinMainAdler, as they suffered a 3-2 defeat away from home.
End of Toppmöller’s Tenure Looms
As reported by Get German Football News, it seemed likely that this weekend would see the dismissal of head coach Dino Toppmöller. The rationale being that Qarabag Agdam was perceived as one of the weakest teams in their upcoming lineup. However, after the events in Baku, that decision appears questionable.
Qarabag Capitalizes on Frankfurt’s Mistakes
Just five minutes into the game, Eintracht’s defense fell asleep, allowing Qarabag’s attackers Abdellah Zoubir and Elvin Jafarguliyev to exploit the right flank. They delivered an easy cross into the box, where Leandro Andrade, completely unmarked, took a shot that keeper Kaua Santos deflected back into play. Camilo Duran capitalized on the rebound, putting the hosts ahead 1-0 in the 4th minute.
Frankfurt Responds with Skillful Play
Only six minutes later, Eintracht made the most of a defensive error to equalize. In the 10th minute, Ritsu Doan executed a clever dribble that unsettled Qarabag’s defense. When the ball eventually found Can Uzun, he skillfully finished with precision from about 15 meters, leveling the score.
Both Teams Struggle for Control
Uzun, boosted by his impressive goal tally this season, attempted another shot in the 15th minute as Eintracht dominated possession temporarily. However, they lacked enough presence in the box to secure a lead due to Uzun’s role as a false nine. Qarabag gained some momentum in the final stages of the first half, but Santos managed to prevent any further goals before halftime, which concluded with the teams tied at 1-1.
Disappointing Second Half Action
The second half proved to be largely uneventful, marred by interruptions for injuries and a lack of creativity from both sides. Players from both teams, including Rasmus Kristensen and Camilo Duran, made dubious attempts to earn penalties, which were dismissed by referee Sandro Schärer.
Frankfurt Earns a Penalty
Things changed in the 76th minute when Bahlul Mustafazada’s shoulder check on Ansgar Knauff inside the box drew a clear penalty. Fares Chaïbi, who had come on in the 71st minute, successfully converted the penalty in the 77th minute, providing Eintracht with a brief sense of hope for playoff qualification.
Qarabag Quickly Equalizes
Unfortunately for Frankfurt, their defensive shortcomings were exposed soon after. In the 80th minute, Kristensen and Robin Koch failed to track Jafarguliyev, who set up Duran for his second goal of the match, making it 2-2. The situation deteriorated rapidly for Eintracht, culminating in a late goal from Mustafazada, leading to a final score of 3-2.
Eintracht Frankfurt Player Ratings
- Kaua Santos (4)
- Arthur Theate (4)
- Robin Koch (3)
- Nnamdi Collins (3)
- Nathaniel Brown (6)
- Hugo Larsson (5)
- Ellyes Skhiri (5)
- Rasmus Kristensen (4)
- Ansgar Knauff (5)
- Ritsu Doan (6)
- Can Uzun (6)
Substitutes:
- Mario Götze (4)
- Fares Chaïbi (5)
- Jean-Manuel Bahoya (4)
- Alexander Staff (4)
- Oscar Højlund (-)
Player of the Match: Camilo Duran (Qarabag)
Duran’s brace earned him the honors, showcasing a performance slightly above average amid an otherwise unremarkable game. Among Eintracht’s players, only Nathaniel Brown, Ritsu Doan, and Can Uzun performed commendably. The decision by interim head coach Dennis Schmitt to substitute out his top performers simultaneously raises concerns regarding tactical decisions moving forward. It remains uncertain whether a fourth interim head coach will secure a permanent position during this Bundesliga season. Schmitt’s debut did not inspire confidence.
