Home defeat to Wolfsburg | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt slipped to a 1-0 defeat against VfL Wolfsburg on Matchday 6, with Maxence Lacroix scoring the only goal in the 60th minute.

Head coach Oliver Glasner made three changes for his team’s third home match in the space of a week. Luca Pellegrini replaced the injured Christopher Lenz at left-back, while Ansgar Knauff – in an unfamiliar right-back role – and Rafael Borré were also recalled to the starting line-up. Jesper Lindström and Junior Dina Ebimbe dropped to the bench.

Jakic hits post, Trapp with two saves

The game took a while to get going, with Wolfsburg sitting deep in the early stages and preventing Eintracht from really threatening the goal. In fact, it was the visitors who had the first chance on 14 minutes, when Bartol Franjic pulled away from a corner and headed into the ground, producing a smart reaction save from Kevin Trapp.

The last 15 minutes of the first half saw more in the way of goalscoring opportunities. Trapp was called into action for a second time in the 32nd minute, getting down quickly to push away Mattias Svanberg’s low half-volley from the edge of the area. A few minutes later, Mario Götze released Borré with a quickly taken free-kick, but the Colombian volleyed over from a difficult angle. Borré then set up Kamada, who also narrowly missed the target from a tight angle, before Kristijan Jakic came closest to giving Eintracht the lead with a long-range drive that rattled the post.

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The second half started like the first, with the Eagles having the majority of the possession but struggling to find gaps in Wolfsburg’s two banks of four. Then, like against Sporting, the visitors took the lead against the run of play on the hour mark. Josip Brekalo whipped in a corner towards the edge of the six-yard box, where Lacroix got to the ball ahead of Trapp and headed it in.

Glasner reacted with a double substitution, bringing Lindström and Lucas Alario on for Kamada and Borré, but Eintracht still lacked the spark they needed in attack to get back into the game. As the rain increased at Deutsche Bank Park, so did the pressure from the home side, but despite over 60 percent possession and the encouragement from their fans, the Eagles couldn’t break down the Wolves, who held on for their first league win of the season.

Summary: Frustrating defeat

As was the case against Sporting on Wednesday, Eintracht were punished for failing to convert their possession into clear goalscoring chances. They came up against a Wolfsburg side who were solid defensively and a threat from set pieces, and it was one of these that ultimately decided the game. The Eagles must quickly put this game to bed as they’re back in action on Tuesday away to Marseille in the Champions League.

SGE line-up

Trapp – Knauff (Alidou 82’), Tuta, Ndicka, Pellegrini – Sow, Jakic – Kolo Muani, Götze, Kamada (Lindström 64’) – Borré (Alario 64’)

Goals

0-1 Lacroix (60‘)