Eintracht empty-handed in Hoffenheim
 | OneFootball

The Eagles lost an emotionally charged encounter 3-1 at ten-man TSG Hoffenheim, despite Mario Götze's goal and a strong second-half display.

Head coach Oliver Glasner made three changes to his side following Wednesday's DFB Cup triumph in Stuttgart. Almamy Toure made his first start since August in place of Tuta, who missed out with a shoulder injury, Jesper Lindström was in the starting line-up for the first time since March as a replacement for Sebastian Rode, and Aurélio Buta began on the right for Éric Junior Dina Ebimbe. Early setback Both teams were still settling in the early exchanges when Hoffenheim took the lead out of the blue, with Christoph Baumgartner ghosting into the box to head in Dennis Geiger's cross from the right. Unfazed, Eintracht stuck to their game plan and subsequently pinned their hosts back in their own half, albeit without seriously troubling Oliver Baumann in the Hoffenheim goal until the 37th minute, when Mario Götze flashed a shot wide after a brilliant touch and spin inside the box. The match took more unexpected turns shortly before the interval. First, Daichi Kamada was adjudged to have tripped Baumgartner inside the area, with Andrej Kramaric converting the ensuing penalty, before Glasner was sent off and then Ihlas Bebou poked in a third at the back post to give Hoffenheim a big lead at the break.

Frankfurt power play Momentum swung Eintracht's way early in the second half when Hoffenheim defender Stanley Nsoki was shown a straight red card for a foul on substitute Paxten Aaronson. The Eagles immediately sought to make the most of their numerical advantage and soon pulled a goal back when Baumann could only parry Aaronson's shot from the edge of the box into the path of Götze, who made no mistake on the rebound at the back post. The remainder of the encounter was largely one-way traffic towards the Hoffenheim goal, but the deep-lying hosts – battling for their Bundesliga survival – made life difficult for Eintracht with some tenacious defending. Buta had a fierce drive cleared by John Brooks before Randal Kolo Muani had the clearest sight of goal, but his powerful shot from the edge of the area whistled just the wrong side of the post. While the purpose and determination shown in the second half was ultimately not enough for Eintracht to take anything from the game, it offers encouragement that more is to come going into the final matches of the season. SGE line-up Trapp – Toure (Borré 55'), Hasebe, Ndicka – Buta (Knauff 83'), Kamada, Sow (Dina Ebimbe 73'), Lenz (Alidou 73') – Lindström (Aaronson 46'), Götze - Kolo Muani Goals 1-0 Baumgartner (8') 2-0 Kramaric (pen. 41') 3-0 Bebou (45'+3) 3-1 Götze (54')