Eintracht Frankfurt edge VfB Stuttgart in five-goal thriller
Chris Führich had a 98th-minute equaliser ruled out as Eintracht Frankfurt survived a thrilling VfB Stuttgart fightback at the MHPArena.
VfB Stuttgart 2-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 0-1 Ekitiké 45' (assist: Marmoush), 0-2 Brown 55', 0-3 Marmoush 62', 1-3 Vagnoman 87' (assist: Führich), 2-3 Woltemade 90' (assist: Stiller)
The MHPArena set the stage for a captivating Bundesliga clash between Stuttgart and Frankfurt, with both teams looking to solidify their positions in the top half of the table. Stuttgart entered the match unbeaten in their last 16 home games, while Frankfurt aimed to build on their impressive start to the season, boasting 17 points from nine matches – their best tally in 30 years at this stage. The absence of Stuttgart's in-form striker Deniz Undav due to injury added an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter.
Stuttgart dominate but Frankfurt strike
The home side started brightly, with Führich causing problems for the visitors' defence. However, it was Marmoush who had the first clear chance, narrowly missing the target in the fourth minute. Stuttgart's dominance grew, and Ermedin Demirović rattled the crossbar in the 18th minute. The hosts were then awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute after a foul by Hugo Larsson, but Kevin Trapp produced a magnificent save to deny Stuttgart's number nine from the spot. Against the run of play, the guests took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Marmoush delivered a pin-point corner, which Hugo Ekitiké headed home powerfully at the near post.
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Frankfurt's clinical edge
Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller made a tactical switch at half-time, bringing on Ansgar Knauff for Eric Dina Ebimbe. The change paid dividends as Frankfurt extended their lead in ruthless fashion. Nathaniel Brown doubled the advantage in the 55th minute, capitalising on excellent work from Knauff. Just seven minutes later, Marmoush produced a moment of magic, curling a sublime free-kick into the top corner to make it 3-0. The Egyptian scored a direct free-kick for the third consecutive match, showcasing his set-piece prowess. Frankfurt's clinical finishing was in stark contrast to their possession, with Stuttgart dominating the ball (59% to 41%).
Stuttgart's late surge
Despite the three-goal deficit, the hosts refused to give up. Sebastian Hoeneß made attacking substitutions, bringing on El Bilal Touré and Justin Diehl. The changes had an impact as Josha Vagnoman ignited hopes of a comeback with a long-range effort in the 86th minute. The home crowd erupted when substitute Nick Woltemade slotted home in the 90th minute to make it 3-2. The drama reached its peak in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Führich thought he had completed an incredible comeback, only for VAR to rule out the goal for offside in the build-up. In the midst of the late chaos, Frankfurt's assistant coach Stefan Buck was shown a red card for his protests.
Player of the Match: Omar Marmoush
Marmoush was the standout performer, delivering a masterclass in attacking play. His assist for Ekitiké's opener demonstrated his vision, while his free-kick goal was a moment of sheer brilliance. Marmoush's set-piece expertise was on full display, scoring his third free-kick in as many games across all competitions. His overall contribution, including his work rate and link-up play, was instrumental in Frankfurt's victory. The Egyptian's performance was particularly poignant against his former club, where he spent a season on loan in 2021/22.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Stuttgart 3.52 - Frankfurt 1.66
Fastest player: Justin Diehl (VfB Stuttgart), 36.08 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 3-0 by Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt), 7.7 percent
Pass efficiency: Angelo Stiller (VfB Stuttgart), +5.56
Fantasy Heroes: Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt, 383 Points), Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt, 333 Points), Chris Führich (VfB Stuttgart, 329 Points)
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