RB Leipzig is closing in on Eintracht Frankfurt

At the end of the 14th matchday of the Bundesliga, RB Leipzig celebrated an important victory in the top duel against Eintracht Frankfurt. Their goalkeeper Kevin Trapp shone in the 1:2 (1:1), but was not rewarded. The 33-year-old was also powerless when Benjamin Sesko (19th) and Lois Openda (52nd) scored, but Nathaniel Brown was able to equalize (40th).

A week before the game in Leipzig, Trapp was partly responsible for Frankfurt losing two points against FC Augsburg (2:2). The SGE keeper made a mistake when Samuel Essende scored and said afterwards: “That wasn't a good day for me. I didn't have much to do and then I make a mistake. It's not what you imagine.“

Frankfurt's Trapp does what he can

During the guest appearance at RB, Trapp showed the reaction that every Frankfurt player would have wanted from him – because it was thanks to Trapp alone that the game was not decided early on in favor of the hosts. The former national goalkeeper was outstanding and kept his team in the game against Sesko (21st) and twice against Openda (22nd).

The 34-year-old was only defeated in the 19th minute when the people in front of him particularly let him down. Trapp initially defused Christoph Baumgartner's shot from close range, but none of the Frankfurt defenders reacted. And so Sesko was able to head the rebound to give Leipzig the lead – then Trapp, who was the only one trying to prevent the worst, came too late.

Frankfurt's Brown equalizes, Leipzig's Openda leads again

It took Frankfurt half an hour to get into the game. Hugo Larsson had the first opportunity, but Marten Vandevoort also saved well (30'). After that, the RB goalkeeper was lucky that Omar Marmoush's free kick only hit the crossbar (32'). Shortly before half-time, Eintracht rewarded themselves for their improvement in performance, after a great assist from Can Uzun, Nathaniel Brown slammed the ball into the far corner of the Leipzig goal – 1-1 (40th).

However, Frankfurt's improvement was anything but sustainable, because after the break Eintracht's defense revealed big holes again – and that took revenge. Openda finished freely after a corner and put Leipzig back in the lead from close range (52'). Trapp didn't have the slightest chance.

Not enough comes from Frankfurt in the final phase either

As turbulent as the game was until it was 2-1, it leveled off for a long time afterwards. Almost nothing happened in the penalty areas before Frankfurt attempted a final offensive at the beginning of the last quarter of an hour. But that also opened up space for Leipzig, which almost made it 3-1 – but Trapp prevented that again. He was there again after a shot from Antonio Nusa (78').

On the other hand, Frankfurt had a few opportunities shortly before the end, which Marmoush (88th) and Igor Matanovic (88th/90th + 1) were unable to take advantage of. And so Leipzig managed to draw level with Eintracht in the table on points. Although they still have the upper hand as third in the overall standings, despite a very strong trap on Sunday – like eleven days before in the DFB Cup – it was far from enough to win a point.

Leipzig in Munich, Frankfurt against Mainz

At the end of the year, the Leipzig team will travel to Munich for the away game on Friday (December 20, 2024) (8:30 p.m.). One day later, Frankfurt hosts Mainz 05 (December 21st, 3:30 p.m.).

“We want to get back on the road to success with all our might. We have a difficult task ahead of us against Bayern's conquerors Mainz, but we definitely want to leave the three points in Frankfurt,” said Frankfurt coach Toppmöller.