Top flight within reach: Frankfurt finishes off Leipzig

Eintracht Frankfurt took a big step closer to a Champions League starting place thanks to an impressive home win against RB Leipzig. The Hessians won the direct duel with the visitors, who were outnumbered for almost a half, 4:0 (1:0) on matchday 31 of the Bundesliga and consolidated third place in the table.

The clear success in the top match means that Eintracht now have a six-point lead over Leipzig. RB, on the other hand, are only fifth and would currently miss out on qualifying for the top flight. In addition, the Frankfurt curse continued for the Saxons: Leipzig also failed to win their tenth competitive match away from home against Eintracht.

First Eintracht victory in the third meeting of the season

Ansgar Knauff put the home side ahead with the first Frankfurt chance (21st minute). Knauff also made it 2:0 (53') after Leipzig's El Chadaille Bitshiabu had been shown the red card for an emergency brake shortly before (50'). Attacker Hugo Ekitiké (67) and defender Robin Koch (71) each scored with a header to set up the final score.

Eintracht thus gained revenge for their 3-0 defeat at RB in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup and their 2-1 loss in the first half of the season.

Before the matchday, the game was seen as a crucial one in the race to qualify for the Champions League. "We see it as a huge opportunity, which we will approach with full vigor and great euphoria," said Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller before the clash.

First wait and see - then Frankfurt strikes

However, there was not much sign of great euphoria on either side at first. Instead of an attacking spectacle, the 56,500 spectators in Frankfurt saw a feeling-out process. Only RB striker Benjamin Sesko tested Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp with a long-range shot, who was unable to hold onto the ball but at least managed to clear it for a corner.

And the Frankfurt attack? It was virtually non-existent for 20 minutes, but then struck ice-cold. The speedy Ekitiké took advantage of the space on a counter-attack with a dribble and a pass to Knauff, who scored to take the lead.

Eintracht more dangerous after taking the lead

With the 1:0 behind them, the home side played with much more confidence. Eintracht now had more grip and had several opportunities to extend their lead before half-time. Tuta failed to beat RB goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt with a powerful header (24'). The Belgian deputized for regular keeper Peter Gulacsi, who was missing after a collision against Holstein Kiel the previous week.

Shortly before the break, Bitshiabu cleared a shot from Knauff with his leg in the greatest of emergencies (40'). RB remained harmless in attack until the break.

Bitshiabu sees red - Knauff scores again

After the break, things got even worse for the visitors. Bitshiabu - still the savior in the first half - brought down Knauff just outside the penalty area as the last outfield player and was justifiably shown the red card.

It continued just as bitterly for the Saxons. Arthur Theate's subsequent free-kick was deflected by Vandevoordt directly to Knauff, who fired the follow-up into the net.

Eintracht continued to dominate the game, while RB disappointed across the board. Ekitiké and Koch converted their superiority into goals, turning the evening into a nightmare for Leipzig.