Memories of 2018 to spur on Eintracht in cup semi
Bayern Munich host Eintracht Frankfurt in the second semi-final of the DFB Pokal this Wednesday. Hansi Flick’s league leaders are huge favourites however they have suffered at the hands of the Eagles in some crucial moments in recent years. It is obvious who the team in the best form is with the Bavarians dismantling an impressive Bayer Leverkusen side 4-1 on Saturday, as Eintracht fell 2-0 at home to relegation threatened Mainz. Free-scoring Bayern inflicted a 5-2 defeat on Adi Hutter’s men at the Allianz Arena last month with Martin Hinteregger netting thrice with one own goal, expect sparks to fly and plenty of goals in this cup tie.
The last round
With league form often going out the window in cup competitions let’s look at how these two managed to book their place in the last four. Starting with the visitors, they put in an unconvincing display as they have done for much of 2019/20, however did enough to see them past 17th placed Werder Bremen by two goals to nil. Andre Silva scored from the spot in first half additional time with Daichi Kamada earning his team the cushion of a second goal on the hour mark.
Bayern Munich also flattered to deceive somewhat at the quarter-final stage, only registering three shots on target in a 1-0 win over Schalke. The worst team in the Bundesliga since the resumption of play. Joshua Kimmich deployed as a centre back got the only goal of the game in early March on 40 minutes, Hansi Flick will be pushing his players to win the double at his very first attempt in the dugout.
Key men
There is no real need to rotate in this fixture with both teams in comfortable positions in the table. Back to back victories before the weekend have seen Frankfurt pull seven points clear of Fortuna Dusseldorf in the relegation playoff spot.
Portuguese striker Andre Silva who signed for AC Milan for just under £35million in July 2017 has found his feet well since the season resumed, finding the net on four occasions, twice from open play against Borussia Monchengladbach and Werder Bremen, and twice from 12 yards against Freiburg and Wolfsburg. The 24-year-old is on loan from the troubled Italian club and is showing some of his best form since leaving his homeland. With Frankfurt’s hopes of a successful season pinned on this fixture, Silva will be fired up by Hutter as the world watches.
Another player of note is Leon Goretzka. The former Schalke man has fought off fierce competition in central midfield to be a first team regular this season, contributing seven goals and nine assists as well as fulfilling defensive duties, an important part of Flick’s preferred double pivot. Having battled against injury in the early part of the campaign, a cup win would signal an excellent second season with the German champions. He comes into this encounter having scored four and assisted three in his last seven league outings.
It did appear that Eintracht had one eye on this matchup in their desperate defeat to Mainz, and with their excellent cup pedigree should test this record-breaking Bayern side. Channeling the memory of their 3-1 victory over the Bavarians in the 2017/18 DFB Pokal Final.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Kicking off the week with a winner and a great game too. Eintracht showed their quality to push Bayern but ultimately the champions elect edged it with Robert Lewandowski getting the winner from yet another Thomas Muller assist. The Bavarians will take on Bayer Leverkusen in the final.