Eintracht Frankfurt qualify for UEFA Europa League last 16 with Fenerbahce draw
Eintracht Frankfurt got the result they needed in their final UEFA Europa League Group D meeting with Fenerbahce to advance to the competition’s last 16.
Already guaranteed a top-two finish, Frankfurt required just a point in Istanbul to avoid the possibility of competing in the Europa League last 16 play-offs. The Eagles set their stall out to win, and had already registered efforts on goal through Rafael Santos Borre and Daichi Kamada when they took a deserved lead. Filip Kostic supplied the cross from the left, with Djibril Sow beating two men before applying the finish. Already eliminated Fener had offered little, but Makoto Hasebe’s failed attempt at a clearance enabled Mergim Berisha to level from close range late in the half.
Frankfurt didn’t play with quite the same level of urgency in the second period, but still created the better scoring chances. Kostic shot wide of the far post with an effort not too dissimilar to his match-winning goal against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga earlier this season. Substitutes Goncalo Paciencia and Sam Lammers combined for a far more presentable opening with 15 minutes remaining, but the latter - scorer of the equaliser in the reverse fixture - was unable to hit the target from 13 yards out. Eintracht controlled the closing stages to secure direct passage to the knockout rounds at the expense of second-placed Olympiacos.
Match stats
Kostic is Frankfurt’s most creative outlet this season with three goals and nine assists in all competitions, including two of the latter in the Europa League.
Rafael Borre has four goals while Jens Petter Hauge, Kamada and Goncalo Paciencia all have three, including at least one each in the Europa League.
Frankfurt have won nine of their 12 away Europa League group stage fixtures to date, including two of three this season.
Fenerbahce have never beaten German opposition in Istanbul (D3, L4).
Fener's Mesut Özil made his Bundesliga debut for Schalke in a 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht on 12 August 2006.
Max Meyer (Schalke and Cologne), Sosa (Bayern), Luiz Gustavo (Hoffenheim, Bayern and Wolfsburg) and Marcel Tisserand (Ingolstadt and Wolfsburg) have also played in the Bundesliga.
That's all five of Frankfurt's allotted substitutes as Hrustic replaces goalscorer Sow. Ex-Schalke and Cologne midfielder Max Meyer's just come on for Fener, too.
Paciencia digs a pass out for Lammers in the box. He's not much more than 12 yards out, but steers his shot wide. Should have scored!
72'
FAMILIAR FACE
Luiz Gustavo racked up 245 Bundesliga appearances for Hoffenheim, Bayern and Wolfsburg. He won the 2012/13 treble with Bayern, and the 2014/15 DFB Cup with Wolfsburg. Let's hope he's lost a few yards with age...
Oliver Glasner rings the changes in a big to wrestle back the initiative, and make the points safe. It was Lammers who scored Frankfurt's equaliser in the reverse fixture...
Zajc returns fire for Fener, but Trapp's equal to it. Much more of an even contest since half-time. In the group's other game, Antwerp still lead Olympiacos.
62'
SOW!
Paciencia lays the ball off for Sow, who launches a shot into the arms of Özer. Sweet hit!
60'
PACIENCIA ON
Paciencia, more of a centre-forward, replaces Borre. The Portuguese striker scored a dramatic equaliser against Antwerp last time out - his second goal in three Europa League games this season.
So close for Frankfurt. Hauge lets Kamada's ball run for Kostic, who drives low across goal from just inside the area. He scored from that kind of position against Bayern Munich earlier this season.
54'
YELLOW PERIL
Chandler's booked for bringing down Novak. It wouldn't be a surprise if Glasner hooks the US international for Almamy Toure or Erik Durm, just to be on the safe side.
No changes on either side at the start of the second half. Can Frankfurt restore their lead?
Kick-off!
45'
HALF TIME! FENERBAHCE 1-1 FRANKFURT
Frankfurt can count themselves very unfortunate not to be ahead. They've been the better side but, more importantly, are still heading through as Group D winners.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a classic case of the commentator's curse. Hasebe doesn't clear a speculative cross into the area, and Mergim Berisha takes full advantage from close range. Fener level, against the run of play, with only their second shot on goal.
Moments after Borre is denied by Özer, Frankfurt forge ahead. Kamada beats Kim to the ball and plays it out to Kostic on the left. His cross is perfectly weighted for the run of Sow, who rides a couple of challenges on his way into the box and slots home.
The Frankfurt midfielder gets a shot off from 16 yards, but can't find the target. Superb running from Chandler in the build-up. Frankfurt very much on top.
23'
DENIED
Great work from Hauge again. The AC Milan loanee squeezes a pass into the feet of Jakic, whose shot is charged down.
19'
EAGLES SWOOP
Frankurt attacking at will as Hauge tries to feed Borre, who's flagged for offside. They really meant it when they said they're here to win, even when a draw will suffice for top spot.
13'
DISALLOWED GOAL
Former Germany U21 international Mergim Berisha fires in from 12 yards, but he was clearly offside when he went to shoot. Smart finish, though - Frankfurt beware!
11'
KOSTIC THREAT
As ever, Kostic is at the heart of Frankfurt's best work. He supplied the pass for Kamada, and has just pinged a cross marginally out of Hauge's reach.
10'
KAMADA!
Özer's made to work again, this time by Daichi Kamada's miscued effort from inside the area. Meanwhile, Olympiacos have fallen behind to Antwerp. Frankfurt going through as group winners, as things stand...
3'
BORRE!
Rafael Santos Borre from the edge of the box with Frankfurt's first opening, but Özer makes the stop. The Colombian's scored four times in 20 appearances for Eintracht this season, including once in five Europa League games.
Kick-off!
PERMUTATIONS
Frankfurt are on 11 points, two more than second-placed Olympiacos, whom they have beaten twice, giving them the superior head-to-head. Only defeat in Istanbul and a win for the Greek champions in Antwerp will deny the Eagles direct entry to the last 16.
THE KOSTIC FACTOR
Kostic is Frankfurt’s most creative outlet this season with three goals and eight assists in all competitions, including two of the latter in the Europa League. He set up Lammers in the previous meeting, and was also part of the Eintracht side that reached the 2018/19 semi-finals.
Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp says his side will not be taking their eye off the ball in Istanbul. "We're going to Istanbul to qualify for the round of 16," he told media. "It's in our own hands. We've worked hard for it and want to top it off by winning the group."
FRANKFURT UNBEATEN
Frankfurt are certain of a top-two finish in the section, having won three and drawn two of their matches so far. Sam Lammers cancelled out an early Mesut Özil goal in the reverse fixture, before Kevin Trapp saved an injury-time penalty from Dimitris Pelkas.
MORE ON THOSE TEAMS
Frankfurt head coach Oliver Glasner makes one change to the team beaten 3-2 by Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga at the weekend, with Jens Petter Hauge coming in for the injured Jesper Lindstrom in attack. With nothing but pride to play for, it's more of an experimental Fener line-up. Mesut Özil is one of four former Bundesliga players on the bench.
Frankurt are through to the UEFA Europa League last 16, but need a point in their final fixture against already eliminated Fenerbahce to ensure they'll be going straight into the knockout rounds and not the play-offs. Stay tuned...
