Eintracht Frankfurt Defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to Deepen Visitors' Woes

Eintracht Frankfurt inflicted a 2-0 defeat on struggling Borussia Dortmund, leaving the visitors in 10th place in the Bundesliga and piling pressure on coach Nuri Şahin ahead of a crucial UEFA Champions League clash.

Borussia Dortmund's dismal Bundesliga campaign continued as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt. This loss marked Dortmund's third consecutive league defeat, a slump they last experienced in November 2017. The team's struggles this season have been unprecedented, with this being their worst Bundesliga campaign since 2014/15.

Despite missing key player Omar Marmoush, who is reportedly in talks with Manchester City, Frankfurt started the match on the front foot. In the opening minute, visiting goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was forced to make a crucial intervention, sticking out a leg to deny Hugo Larsson. Kobel's save atoned for a sloppy pass intended for Pascal Groß, which had been intercepted by Ellyes Skhiri. As the game progressed, Dortmund gradually gained confidence, with Julian Ryerson's lofted cross headed against the woodwork by Serhou Guirassy.

However, Dortmund's defensive vulnerabilities were soon exposed, leaving them vulnerable to Frankfurt's attacks. The hosts' inability to shore up their defense has been a recurring issue this season, and it ultimately proved costly in this encounter. With this defeat, the pressure mounts on Dortmund's coaching staff, particularly Nuri Sahin, who finds himself on the brink due to the team's dismal performance.

The breakthrough for Frankfurt came in the 18th minute, courtesy of a well-crafted move. Rasmus Kristensen initiated the attack, finding Hugo Ekitiké, who cleverly played a reverse pass for Kristensen to chase. The Danish striker then sprinted upfield and slotted home Kristensen's cross, giving Frankfurt a deserved 1-0 lead.

Frankfurt could have easily doubled their advantage soon after, as former Dortmund players Mario Götze and Ansgar Knauff combined to create a scoring opportunity. Knauff's powerful shot from the edge of the box rattled Gregor Kobel's left-hand post, serving as a warning to Dortmund's defense. The visitors responded by introducing Yan Couto at halftime, replacing Ramy Bensebaini. Couto quickly made his presence felt, forcing Kevin Trapp to make a save from his close-range shot.

Couto continued to pose a threat, delivering a teasing cross that narrowly eluded Serhou Guirassy. Meanwhile, Nnamdi Collins, who had avoided giving away a penalty in the first half for a challenge on Guirassy, was fortunate not to concede a spot-kick again with around 15 minutes remaining. This time, Collins barged Jamie Gittens in the back, but the referee opted not to award a penalty. Guirassy was involved in another penalty appeal soon after, but his claims were waved away after contact with Arthur Theate.

In the end, Frankfurt's resilience paid off, as they sealed the 2-0 victory. Emre Can was dispossessed, allowing Oscar Højlund to score the second goal and wrap up the contest. The commanding performance of centre-back Robin Koch was instrumental in Frankfurt's win, as he helped to nullify Dortmund's attacking threats and secure a clean sheet.

Schluss. Heimsieg. Glücklich! ❤️
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⏹️ 90. | #SGEBVB 2:0 | #SGE pic.twitter.com/0mgQvvgY2J

— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) January 17, 2025

Dortmund's 2-0 defeat at the hands of Frankfurt marks a worrying milestone for the team, as they failed to score in a Bundesliga game for the first time since August. This lackluster performance leaves Dortmund in 10th place in the league standings, adding pressure ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Bologna next Tuesday.

Frankfurt, on the other hand, will shift their focus to European competition next week. The team is set to host Ferencváros at Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday, aiming to maintain their position in the top eight of the UEFA Europa League table. A strong performance in this match will be essential for Frankfurt's continental ambitions.