Europa League: Clear offside pans Eintracht Frankfurt the way to the sensation

Stand: 04:41 clock | Reading time: 3 minutes

DPlayers were exultant in their arms, euphoric fans cheered with the most international success in 39 years: after a furious recovery, Eintracht Frankfurt are in the Europa League semi-final and can continue their second triumph in great football. Stage after winning the dream of the Uefa Cup in 1980. Eintracht won on Thursday night with 48,000 spectators in the quarter-finals of the second leg, against Lisbon's Benfica with 2: 0 (1: 0) and made the 2: 4 in the first leg.

"It's incredible, this pure joy. Things will happen here today, I'm sure of that," said sports director Fredi Bobic. In the semi-finals, the DFB Cup winner, for whom Filip Kostic (37 minutes) and Sebastian Rode (67) scored the goals, he faces Chelsea on 2 and 9 May. In the first stage of Eintracht missing, however, the yellow-blocked Ante Rebic. "Now we have Chelsea in front of the chest, it does not get harder," said Bobic. "It makes us proud that we represent Germany as the only team."

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Boosted by spectators in the exhausted Frankfurter Arena Eintracht was from the beginning of the dominant team, but was really only rarely dangerous. "It was an incredible atmosphere today," said Rode. Kostic, on whose left side ran too far forward, pointed to former German national goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos, still very imprecise (8).

Against the strong and fast Portuguese, the defensive of the Frankfurt also was without the defender Martin Hinteregger, safe. The Austrian was not fit after the thigh bleeding. "The injury was only that the risk was too great," said coach Adi Hütter, who had to give up Evan Ndicka (red spot) and Sebastien Haller (abdominal muscle).

Wild discussions after record success of Kostic

Eintracht tried a lot, but the final strength and accuracy in the offensive for striker Luka Jovic was lacking. The Serbian and his storm colleague Ante Rebic ran frequently, scoring opportunities won the fourth evil Bundesliga. The Portuguese championship remained largely harmless and defended the lead. The three-legged marker of the first half, João Félix, was less visible.

Frankfurt's opening goal caused some furious discussions: after a post from Mijat Gacinovic's post, Kostic was outclassed, but was just under a meter off. The video evidence is used in the Europa League only in the final, the goal counted. Benfica coach Bruno Lage protested very violently and had to stand on the stands. For Frankfurt was the 27th goal of the competition – most never got a German team in the Europa League.

Now Eintracht was clearly the best team and kept pushing. A goal from Jovic's head, which the DFB Cup winner had committed on Wednesday, went over the gate. Kostic was shortly thereafter in his attempt to shot blocked just offside (45.).

Shortly after the interval, the Portuguese had the strongest phase thus far, acting now much more powerful. A cross of Felix led Simon Falette through the gate (47.). Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp has rescued former Frankfurt Haris Seferovic (52).

On the other hand, a Gacinovic fight almost lost the goal (57.), Jovic failed after the preliminary work of Rebic (60). The acclaimed 2-0 then scored Rode who came free in the penalty area for the shot. Benfica put another pressure and the Eduardo Salvio shot hit the post (85 & # 39;). With a little luck, the Hesse survived the final and brought the lead over time.

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The other three duels of the quarterfinals at a glance (result of the first hand in parentheses):
SSC Napoli – FC ARSENAL 0: 1 (0: 2)

FC Valencia – Villarreal 2: 0 (3: 1)

FC CHELSEA – Slavia Prague 4: 3 (1: 0)