PLAYER RATINGS | Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 RB Leipzig | OneFootball

A big game in terms of qualifying for the Champions League, a win for Eintracht Frankfurt would secure Europe for next season, while a win for RB Leipzig would hold off the chasing pack.

Going off of the performances of both teams in the first half, you would not think that Leipzig needed to win this game. They clearly did not drink their Red Bull, as when it came to actually trying to score, they produced very little to challenge Frankfurt. The hosts on the other hand, had their wings and were flying and opened the scoring when Hugo Ekitike played through Ansgar Knauff to make it 1-0. After the opener, Frankfurt were in control but were unable to double their lead as Leipzig proved defensively sound.

The second 45 started off a nightmare for Leipzig when El Chadaille Bitshiabu was sent off for a last-ditch challenge on Knauff. From the resultant free-kick, Arthur Theate lashed the ball straight at Maarten Vandevoordt, who parried the ball directly into the path of Knauff, who made it 2-0. After assisting the first, Ekitike would then get his goal and Frankfurt’s third of the game when a recycled corner is crossed into the box by Jean Bahoya and met by the head of Hugo Ekitike.

Things got worse for Leipzig when another corner was played into the box and met by the head of Robin Koch to make it 4-0. Apart from a free-kick from Loïs Openda, Leipzig did not trouble Trapp.

The win for Frankfurt does not confirm qualification for the Champions League just yet, a win in their next game against Mainz should do the job. Although they came up short in the Europa League, qualifying for the Champions League is a great achievement for the youngest side in the Bundesliga. It will incentivise the players to stay another year at the club and allow them to continue this build.

Does this Frankfurt side have the quality to mount an unlikely challenge for the Bundesliga? If most of these players stayed and reached at least 2/3 of their potential, yes. Their only downside, as shown during their Europa League run, is that they do lack experience away from Kevin Trapp and Mario Götze.

Leipzig, on the other hand, has had their worst-ever Bundesliga defeat inflicted upon it. It is their season in a nutshell. If Leipzig wants to actually challenge for the title, things have to change. They need a world-class coach (no, not that guy) and should just embrace being the bad guy and just pump as much Red Bull money as possible into the squad.

There will be a big shake-up in the Leipzig squad in the summer with Xavi Simons and Benjamin Seško both likely to leave, but this may be a blessing in disguise. Today showed that both, especially Seško, are not good enough to take the next step in their careers. Whoever Leipzig sells them to will be getting ripped off, especially with Seško.

Eintracht Frankfurt XI:

Kevin Trapp (6), Tuta (6), Robin Koch (6), Arthur Theate (6), Nmandi Collins (6), Ellyes Skhiri (6), Hugo Larsson (5), Nathanial Brown (6), Ansgar Knauff (7), Jean Bahoya (6), Hugo Ekitike (7)

Others: Oscar Højlund (5), Elye Wahi (5), Aurèle Amenda (-), Fares Chaïbi (), Timothy Chandler (-)

RB Leipzig XI:

Maarten Vandevoordt (4), Kosta Nedeljkovic (5), Lukas Klostermann (5), El Chadaille Bitshiabu (3), Castello Lukeba (4) Ridle Baku (5), Christoph Baumgartner (5), Nicolas Seiwald (5), Ridle Baku (5), Xavi Simons (3), Benjamin Seško (3)

Others: Loïs Openda (5), Arthur Vermeeren (5), Tidiam Gomis (5), Antonio Nusa (5), Amadou Haidara (-)

GGFN Man of the Match: Ansgar Knauff (7)

Caused problems all evening for Leipzig’s defence with his runs in behind. Not only did he score twice, but he also won the free-kick that led to his second goal. The 23-year-old is probably one of Frankfurt’s most underrated players.

Hugo Ekitiké could also be given the MOTM, but he has consistently been Frankfurt’s best player in the second half of the season. The Frenchman got a goal and an assist today, created the most chances in the match (two) and linked up well with Knauff.

GGFN | Jack Meenan