Michael Skibbe is now in charge
By: Ollie |
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Stressing an era of “attractive, attacking Football”, Michael Skibbe has been appointed Head Trainer of Eintracht. At only forty-three years of age, he has already amassed a long history in the coaching world, starting first with Schalke twenty years ago, with significant stops with Dortmund, Leverkusen and proudly serving the DFB.
Beyond the opening press conference this should be seen as a possible long-term solution for Eintracht along with a leader who is known for keeping an eye towards developing players.
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Category: Eintracht Frankurt News
late goal spoils comeback
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In Friedhelm Funkel’s final match day in-charge, Eintracht lost 3-2 to Hamburg at Waldstadion.
Die Adler gave up a two goal lead before storming back. The first came midway of the opening half as a long cross from the right into the box was deflected to Jonathan Pitroipa who then eased the ball back to David Jarolim who drove it in from the edge of the area. It was a difficult goal to digest because Eintracht had controlled the run of play and it was the first true defending flaw. Two minutes before the hour HSV grabbed a two goal lead as Guy Demel’s cross was nodded in by Ivica Olić to make it 2-0. However this set the stage for a fast turnaround as only three minutes minutes later Alexander Meier played a fast one-two on the left side of the box with the before pounding the ball in from twelve metres to bring Eintracht to within one. A few minutes later Martin Fenin sent Caio in clear with the Brazilian surging into the box before driving the ball to the right side of the net. The comeback ending was derailed as a minute into added-time Pitroipa sent the ball to Piotr Trochowski on the left side of the box, who scored from a tight angle.
Category: Eintracht Frankurt Newssecure in the Bundesliga
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Although Eintracht lost 2-0 to Bochum on Saturday, their spot in the Bundesliga is guaranteed for next year. With the final weekend upcoming the process of rebuilding can begin and with many players returning to health the goal of a top half of the table to Europa League challenge is set.
A strong group of traveling die Adler supporters, never to be held back in their efforts made the short trip to the Bochumer Stadion. The streets were packed and the always notable presence of Germany’s best fans could not be slowed. Efforts to inspire our team who will never surrender, were highly vocal and definitely were well received by the team. Needing to shuffle the lineup Chris, Michael Fink and Sebastian Jung came in for Habib Bellaid, Nikos Liberopoulos and Patrick Ochs. After Eintracht came up empty with a few good scoring chances, notably Alexander Meier’s effort cleared off the line, Bochum took a 1-0 lead as Joël Epalle’s cross from the left was headed in by Vahid Hashemian. After the break Nikos Liberopoulos was brought-in but the striking tandem still couldn’t break through. Finally with eighteen minutes left Diego Klimowicz sent in a loss ball after a series of efforts by Hashemian and Epalle were saved by Markus Pröll. Eintracht came close late with Markus Steinhöfer and Alexander Meier driving to the last minutes but the match ended 2-0.
Eintracht’s farewell performance of the year features HSV at Waldstadion and as always support will imposing.
Category: Eintracht Frankurt Newsfinishing problems lead to draw
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Eintracht played Hannover to a 1-1 draw despite controlling the majority of the match. Yet with the draw Eintracht open a six-point margin over the drop zone and with safety near certain the planning stage when the squad is healthy nears.
Of notable mention the Niedersachsenstadion contained a strong contingent of traveling supporters who would not let die Adler falter. With Patrick Ochs, Michael Fink and Junichi Inamoto in the starting eleven for Sebastian Jung, Nikos Liberopoulos and Chris, Eintracht pressed forward in a 4-5-1. The hosts immediately threatened and not quite ten minutes in took the lead as Mikael Forssell split Eintracht defenders playing-in Jan Schlaudraff who provided to Arnold Bruggink for the finish. The goal stirred Eintracht and for the balance of the match were able to keep Hannover on its heels. Die Adler swarmed Hannover but the final piece to the puzzle was lacking. Finally Martin Fenin’s work paid off as his cross was headed in by Ümit Korkmaz. After returning from the break the direction of the match did not change as Eintracht was clearly in control. However through the work of Robert Enke, Hannover kept Eintract from scoring the winning goal and the match ended in a draw.
Category: Eintracht Frankurt NewsDortmund overcomes tough Eintracht performance
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Eintracht lost 2-0 to Dortmund at Waldstadion Saturday afternoon, extending a four-match streak without a victory. The decision aside given the injury situation the overall performance was highly commendable.
Leading into the match Friedhelm Funkel was forced to deal with a large series of absences due to injury and suspension which resulted in half of last weeks lineup being changed. Despite the changes Eintracht were able to control visiting Dortmund, presently one of the fastest rising clubs in the Bundesliga. Although chances for Eintracht were few, Markus Pröll did well to keep Dortmund off the score-sheet before the break. However in the second forty-five, Dortmund began to assert its drive towards European football but still Eintracht showed a stubborn side. Finally at the seventy-ninth minute Mohamed Zidan scored the winning goal for Dortmund as he sent a rebound of Tamás Hajnal’s blocked effort in from just outside ten metres or so. With Zlatan Bajramović showing promise going on the attack, chances for a recovery ended as Tamás Hajnal cross from the bye-line resulted in a own goal by Habib Bellaid to make it 2-0 win.
Category: Eintracht Frankurt NewsEintracht show promise despite loss
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Using the same starting eleven that had led Eintracht to last weeks 4-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach, Friedhelm Funkel went forward with confidence against Stuttgart. With full knowledge that the VfB has been one of the hottest clubs in the Bundesliga since Markus Babbel took over at the end of November the first course of action was to limit their attack. Despite a very solid match with few errors Eintracht lost 2-0 and will now direct its attention to visiting Dortmund next week.
After a good opening thirty minutes in which Stuttgart was unable to breakdown Eintracht, the hosts broke through on their first major effort as Cacau edged Ludovic Magnin’s cross to the back of the net. Eintracht was unable to find the needed leveler and a few minutes into the new half they were victimized for their first major defending error as Mario Gómez received Martin Lanig’s free-kick in the box before sending the ball in. Despite continued efforts Eintracht could not break through and lost 2-0.
Of the positives, Zlatan Bajramović was showing good movement and helping to create spaces with Alexander Meier after coming in at the break. With Borussia Dortmund coming to Waldstadion next Saturday, the overall health and play of the Bosnian looks like he is ready for a full ninety minutes.
Category: Eintracht Frankurt NewsVictory!
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Any concern Eintracht had of relegation were put to rest with a 4-1 victory over Gladbach at the Waldstadion. With the customary best supporters in Germany ringing out support die Adler was relentless and after withstanding early pressure, mostly from Eintracht product Marko Marin, the tables turned. Five minutes before the break Markus Steinhöfer’s corner was headed in with power by Alexander Meier and Eintracht had the 1-0 lead. Two minutes after the re-start Martin Fenin moved the ball off to Nikos Liberopoulos a few metres into the box with the former AEK Athens striker driving the ball to the bottom right corner. Five minutes past the hour the match took a dynamic turn that could have changed the result. After Eintracht product Marin was fouled by Chris with a resulting penalty called, he adhered to the customary practice of not taking the kick himself and Michael Bradley stepped up to the spot. However his effort was not worthy and Markus Pröll maintained Eintracht two goal domination. Still Gladbach went forward with to no surprise, the vision coming from Marin. Ten minutes later Marco Russ was adjudged a penalty but this time the Belgian Filip Daems stepped-up and could not be stopped. With ten minutes left Michael Fink corner was headed in by Marco Russ to the near post to make it 3-1 and eight minutes later Fink kicked the celebration into high gear with a goal of his own.
Category: Eintracht Frankurt Newstough loss in München
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In front of nearly 70,000 fans in München, Eintracht was soundly beaten 4-0 by Bayern Saturday afternoon. After two difficult losses Jürgen Klinsmann’s side were in need of silencing their critics and this result will most assuredly be a step in that direction.
If there was any doubt of the defending champions focus, Franck Ribéry answered the question as he drove the ball in from twenty-six metres only three minutes in the match after making some space in what seemed like a harmless advance. Fourteen minutes later Italian international Luca Toni got behind the wall to re-direct Ribéry’s free-kick in with his left foot to make it 2-0. The attacking wave continued without much opposition and with nine minutes left in the half the match was 3-0 as Bastian Schweinsteiger’s corner was headed in by the Brazilian Lúcio who had positioned himself at the far back corner of the six yard box. Only three minutes into the new half Luca Toni’s point-blank effort was saved by Oka Nikolov but as the battle skipped away Schweinsteiger sent it in from a few metres out. Up by four, Bayern eased back on the pressure without Eintracht showing significant threat.
At twelfth place in the table, die Adler hold a six point cushion to the drop zone. With Borussia Mönchengladbach visiting the Waldstadion, a victory could seal away concerns of the drop.
Category: Eintracht Frankurt Newsgo for blood
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Eintracht’s visit of Bayern München Saturday afternoon comes at likely the worst possible time. Following a highly disappointing run including an embarrassing performance against Barcelona, the clubs hierarchy have lashed out publicly of the downfall. The rumours of coach Jürgen Klinsmann departure have grown to unprecedented levels and while that isn’t a surprise to anyone in the “know” given his lack of interest in living in Germany for nearly fifteen years, it seems that the storm clouds around Bayern are building.
While that is an important backdrop for the match, it it also needs to be said that Bayern is highly motivated to get back on the winning course against their home fans. Anxious to dispel concerns that this is a repeat of 2007’s “disappointing” fourth-place finish, given their chances in the Champions League is near impossible all focus will now be on the Bundesliga.
Oka Nikolov will be looking to repeat last years scoreless draw with the speedy Ümit Korkmaz, fit and ready to go. It is still too earlier for Martin Fenin and Léonard Kweuke but Herr Funkel can always be counted on for a few surprises. Eintracht is nearing a point where they can call the relegation issue “over” but that does not take the pressure off, particularly if it can come with Bayern’s pain. While some approached the match, at least publicly with a morbid tone, the Austrian midfielder believes it showed München’s vulnerability and ready to go for the jugular.
The Austrian has it right. Bayern is mighty beast but its bloodied, beaten to a pulp and downtrodden right now and must be met with a vicious, highly physical attack. See the beast wobbling in this tracks and show no fear as you send it to its demise. Eintracht, who have the best fans in the Bundesliga, has a large traveling party in München to provide unparalleled support as Adler smells blood. It’s time to finish the job that others have started.
Category: Eintracht Frankurt Newswichtigen Sieg
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Fighting for its Bundesliga life, Eintracht Frankfurt responded with an important 2-1 win over Energie Cottbus comes at Waldstadion.
With the typical loud crowd support, Eintracht showed a confident attacking style lead with Alexander Meier driving Friedhelm Funkel’s starting eleven. Finding the right mix with a healed Ümit Korkmaz threatening with eye for the goal and Nikos Liberopoulos returning at striker, die Adler was in control of much of the match. Answering the call, as he has done for fifteen years, Oka Nikolov trotted out to take his place and there was no looking back.
After a close first ten minutes the Lausitz side were gifted a penalty via Timo Rost’s inspiring dive following phantom contact with Benjamin Köhler. Bulgaria’s Dimitar Rangelov drove the ball just under Nikolov for a 1-0 lead but justice would soon be served. Four minutes later the referee, Peter Gagelmann, decided to level the match as he awarded a hand ball on Dušan Vasiljević via Köhler’s cross. Nikos Liberopoulos pounded the ball in to square the match at one. Eintracht looked to be close on breaking through, particularly through Alexander Meier’s work but Cottbus were screwing down advances in the final third. With the opening two goals scored in odd circumstances, the final was no-less unusual as a long set piece stricken curled in by MarkusSteinhöfer made its way through the crowded box and without contact, skipped into the net. It’s possible that the former AEK striker Nikos Liberopoulos got the slightest of touches to it but regardless Eintracht had the 2-1 lead. The home side came close to adding to their lead with Liberopoulos and Chris coming close but without Energie able to break through, Eintracht Frankfurt had its important victory.
Category: Eintracht Frankurt News
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