DFB Cup: Leipzig wins name against Frankfurt

Frenchman Christopher Nkunku will say goodbye to Leipzig this summer time – however will be fondly remembered. The first-rate striker of Leipzig’s past seasons rose to an extremely good parent in a largely hard cup final on Saturday evening – and led RB to a 2-zero win against Eintracht Frankfurt, which changed into tantamount to defending the identify. Nkunku scored to make it 1-zero – and Dominik Szoboszlai additionally made it 2-zero. The Frankfurters had been now not most effective denied the way to the winner’s podium. They also missed out on qualifying for the Europa League, which could have given them a win, as an alternative having to compete in the Conference League. In their area, Leverkusen can now compete in the second maximum essential opposition at the continent, which Frankfurt received in Seville remaining year.

The environment changed into a bit paying homage to the night Eintracht beat Glasgow Rangers within the Andalusian capital. The stadium was firmly in Frankfurt palms. But RB suffered especially from the reality that Frankfurt absolutely dried up the Leipzig thoughts center with a notably organized protective. Coach Oliver Glasner, who became in fee of Eintracht for the final time, despatched his group onto the field with a plan that almost study like an application for an Italian crew.

His Eintracht worked so properly in opposition to the ball that neither Dani Olmo, who had prolonged his agreement for the duration of the week, nor Dominik Szoboszlai, who became flirting with a change, ever came into play – and had been also unable to establish a radio connection to the later suit winner Nkunku. The few balls that Olmo and Szoboszlai had been allowed to touch, they always obtained with their backs to the opposing aim. This also contributed to the truth that Leipzig all too regularly needed to play the ball in addition and further again and then, inside the absence of passing stations, needed to hit lengthy balls, which became easy prey for Frankfurt.

Leipzig had already neglected the hazard to take the sport on their own side within the fourth minute. The first – and for a long term best – counterattack by way of Leipzig proved to be sterile, because DFB striker Timo Werner pushed the ball toward the Frankfurt purpose with none conviction, into the fingers of SGE goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

On the opposite hand, it sparked on every occasion Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani got here into play. Especially inside the 16th minute, while he were given the ball after a technical mistakes by using Lukas Klostermann, left Willi Orban status – but best hit the side netting. As a end result, there were not any more opportunities. It wasn’t till the 41st minute earlier than Leipzig got back in front of the Frankfurt aim – after Konrad Laimer’s first vertical run, Nkunku got a shot, however Tuta got his foot in among.

SBU captain Sebastian Rode has to head, the Frankfurt stability is long past

The 2nd half commenced with a delay. The purpose: The Frankfurt enthusiasts spread out a banner that study “Football terror within the final”; Tracer ammo flew. The human beings of Leipzig, who had been infamous for being conservative, additionally had smoke pots with them. And that to start with seemed to disturb no longer best the gaze of the spectators, however additionally the ingenuity of the actors.

After an hour, Leipzig teach Marco Rose made the first flow to exchange the dynamic of the sport. Yussuf Poulsen replaced the obviously injured Timo Werner. At first you can get the sensation that this became the signal for Frankfurt to shift up a gear. Because after a move from the right, Kolo Muani positioned the ball down elegantly on Mario Götze, who shot at purpose from 14 meters: RB goalkeeper Jani Blaswich parried (64th). However, the concept later grew to become out to be a fallacy. Especially after Oliver Glasner also changed for the first time. Or had to alternate: Captain Sebastian Rode, who had indicated the night time earlier than that he had no power for ninety minutes, was changed by means of Jesper Lindström. And that had deadly results on the defensive midfield statics of Frankfurt. She was long past.

Suddenly Szoboszlai and Olmo can be seen, Poulsen inflicting confusion in the heart of the Frankfurt defence. This was simply visible with the Leipzig aim: After triumphing the ball in midfield, Olmo played to the left to Nkunku, who shot from a great 15 meters. The ball caught Frankfurt goalkeeper Trapp at the completely incorrect foot. Because Nkunku’s shot became sharpened through  Frankfurt protection legs. Glasner threw the whole thing on the sector that smelled like an offensive on his bench. But earlier than they even were given near the Leipzig penalty region – there has been simplest one shot from Frankfurt in the complete 2nd 1/2 – Szobozslai scored to make it 2-0 after Nkunku had cleared him within the penalty region. And that turned into not anything apart from the quit of a finale that might be referred to as severe – but simplest memorable moderately.