Dortmund edge Frankfurt on penalties to reach DFB-Pokal next round | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund is in the round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal. In a penalty shootout, BVB defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 4-2. After 120 minutes, the score was 1-1 (1-0) with goals from Knauff in the seventh minute and Brandt (48th). In a closely contested match, the team with more nerves, but also a bit of luck, ultimately prevailed.

BVB coach Kovač made five changes to the starting lineup compared to the 1-0 victory against 1. FC Köln. Anselmino, Bellingham, Sabitzer, Brandt, and Beier started in place of Bensebaini (back problems), Nmecha, Groß, Chukwuemeka, and Guirassy (all on the bench).

The first minutes of the match belonged to Dortmund, who kept the ball moving within their ranks. But then, ironically, two former Dortmund players combined to strike. Götze set up Knauff with a through pass, who ran alone towards Kobel and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for a 1-0 lead for Frankfurt after seven minutes.

The goal did little to change the course of the game. BVB had more possession but was still waiting for their first chance on goal. Much of the play went through the right side, where Ryerson was frequently on the ball. However, they lacked the ideas to break through Eintracht's attentive defense.

Meanwhile, the Hessians waited for counter-attacking opportunities. Chaibi tried his luck from distance, but his shot deflected by Bellingham went out harmlessly (35th). A shot from Doan from the right edge of the penalty area in the 38th minute was easily saved by Kobel, as was a 25-meter shot from Theate (40th).

Anselmino, already on a yellow card, risked a red card with another foul and was replaced by Süle at halftime.

Brandt with a Quick Start

Just three minutes into the second half, it was 1-1. Ryerson delivered a sharp ball into the six-yard box, where Brandt arrived at the far post to push the ball into the net for the equalizer.

Dortmund was now better in the game, while Frankfurt tried to regain confidence through possession. Chaibi attempted a free-kick trick around the wall but only hit the side netting (54th).

A long throw from Zetterer was chased down by Knauff, whose solo counterattack was rewarded with a corner after a save by Kobel (69th). The match was on a knife-edge at this stage.

Photo: Getty Images

Frankfurt initiated the final phase with two strong shots. Doan hammered the ball against the crossbar (80th). Kobel then tipped a shot from Uzun out for a corner (81st). In stoppage time, Fábio Silva tested Zetterer, who dived in time (90+1). Then it was SGE's turn again. Kristensen pushed the ball past the far post from the right side (90+3).

No Decision in Extra Time

Both teams struggled to create chances in extra time. Both Frankfurt and Dortmund minimized risks. It wasn't until the 102nd minute that there was something like a dangerous scene when Chaibi fired from 20 meters, but Kobel safely parried to the side. Just before the end of the first half of extra time, there was some confusion in the home team's penalty area. Guirassy attempted a bicycle kick but missed the goal by a wide margin (104th).

In the 115th minute, the ball was in Dortmund's net, but Burkardt was offside – goal disallowed. Then Schlotterbeck unleashed a powerful shot from 30 meters, sending Zetterer flying (118th).

In the penalty shootout, all of Dortmund's players were confident from the spot, while Frankfurt missed twice.

Conclusion: Dortmund started with determination and had more of the game. However, BVB couldn't break through Frankfurt's defense. After the goal, the hosts grew more into the match. Borussia didn't pose a threat before the break. After the quick equalizer, it became a closely contested encounter. In the final phase, Eintracht was more active. Both teams watched each other in extra time, waiting for the opponent's mistakes. The decision almost inevitably came in the penalty shootout.

BVB: Kobel – Anselmino (46. Süle), Anton, Schlotterbeck – Ryerson, Bellingham, Sabitzer (91. Nmecha), Svensson – Brandt (91. Chukwuemeka) – Adeyemi (77. Guirassy), Beier (84. Fábio Silva)

Frankfurt: Zetterer – Kristensen, Koch, Theate – Doan, Larsson (73. Shkiri), Chaibi, Brown – Knauff (89. Bahoya, 120. Batshuayi), Götze (73. Uzun) – Burkardt

Goals: 1-0 Knauff (7th), 1-1 Brandt (48th)

Penalty Shootout:

Attendance: 59,300 (sold out)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.