Eintracht clinch sixth spot | OneFootball

Hugo Ekitiké (51’) and Omar Marmoush (69’, pen) were on target as Frankfurt recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Leipzig.

Dino Toppmöller’s side produced a stirring second-half fightback to secure UEFA Europa League football next season. Goals either side of half-time from Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko put the visitors 2-0 ahead, but Ekitiké’s fourth goal in five games and Marmoush’s well-taken penalty ensured Eintracht held off the challenge of seventh-placed TSG Hoffenheim, who also recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Bayern Munich 4-2.

Club legends Sebastian Rode and Makoto Hasebe were handed late cameos in an emotional end to the contest, with Rode taking the captain’s armband off Kevin Trapp for the final moments of additional time.

Buta in for Ebimbe Toppmöller made one change to the Eagles side that played out a 1-1 draw at Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend, with Aurélio Buta preferred to Junior Dina Ebimbe on the right flank.

Leipzig ride their luck

Bayern’s early two-goal lead at Hoffenheim may have helped settle the Eagles’ nerves somewhat at Deutsche Bank Park. The pace and trickery of Ekitiké and Farès Chaibi in particular caused the Leipzig defence problems in the early stages, with Ekitiké and Marmoush both testing Janis Blaswich’s reflexes with efforts from the edge of the area.

Trapp’s goal was barely under threat until late in the first half, when Leipzig were awarded a penalty following Mario Götze’s mistimed challenge on Simons. The Dutchman sent his initial effort wide of the left-hand post, but referee Felix Zwayer hadn’t blown his whistle yet and ordered the kick to be retaken. Simons made no mistake with his second attempt, sending Trapp the wrong way to put the visitors ahead.

Back in Europe!

Things got worse for Toppmöller’s charges in the opening minute of the second half, when Sesko unleashed an unstoppable shot from 20 metres out that sailed past Trapp and into the top corner. After a brief stoppage in play due to the video cube’s emergency sprinkler system being set off, Ekitiké nodded home Ansgar Knauff’s delivery via the inside of the post to give the Eagles hope.

Tuta chested the ball against his own post and Eljif Elmas was denied by the woodwork moments later, but Benjamin Henrichs’ foul on Marmoush gave the Egyptian the opportunity to restore parity – and Eintracht’s number seven sent his spot-kick straight down the middle, to the delight of the home supporters.

Rode and Hasebe were given a rapturous reception when they entered the fray in second-half stoppage time, and the final whistle was greeted just as enthusiastically by the Eintracht faithful as the Eagles sealed their return to Europe. And if Borussia Dortmund manage to get the better of Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium next month, Eintracht will be playing UEFA Champions League football for the second time in three years.