Real Madrid-bound Luka Jovic is ice man, but Mijat Gacinovic is Eintracht Frankfurt's star man

Matt Jones - Editor 02:04 10/05/2019
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  • Eintracht Frankfurt’s industry and energy went in vain as they threw away an initial advantage in the penalty shootout to lose 4-3 to Chelsea after earning a 1-1 draw in west London.

    Following a 1-1 draw in Frankfurt Chelsea were heavy favourites to progress to the Europa League final, but even though they started slowly they took the lead when Eden Hazard sent Ruben Loftus-Cheek in on goal and he side-footed calmly past Kevin Trapp.

    The Blues began to get on top but they started the second half sloppily and conceded when Real Madrid-bound Luka Jovic calmy finished past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

    After that the visitors were marginally the better side but after Cesar Azpilicueta saw his spot kick saved, Martin Hinteregger and Goncalo Paciencia saw tame efforts saved by Kepa as Chelsea set up a second all-English European final with Arsenal in Azerbaijan at the end of the month.

    Here are our Frankfurt ratings:

    EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (3-1-4-2)

    Kevin Trapp 7: Stood tall, did well to keep out Giroud’s flick. Almost embarrassed when he spilled Zappacosta’s shot. Excellent stop to thwart Azpilicueta in shootout.

    David Abraham 7: Skipper relished battle with Giroud, who was kept largely quiet. Dealt well when faced with slaloming Hazard.

    Martin Hinteregger 7: Austrian anchored the defence and threw himself into the thick of the action. Heroic challenge to deny Emerson a tap-in. Excellent as part of a unit that had conceded six in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

    Simon Falette 8: Involved constantly. Booked for a crude whack on Willian. Imperious in second half, brilliantly cleared Hazard’s through ball intended for Pedro.

    Makoto Hasebe 7: How did he clear Willian’s free-kick off the line? Was everywhere as he screened his defence and kept a leash on Kovacic and Co.

    Danny da Costa 8: Looked a penalty on Loftus-Cheek but he did brilliantly. Forced stunning stop from Kepa. A handful marauding down the right in the second period. Did not stop.

    Sebastian Rode 6: Made his presence felt, flinging himself into the action, literally. Certainly left mark on Giroud. Lucky not to see second yellow for sliding accidently into Loftus-Cheek. So committed to the cause he injured himself and had to go off.

    Mijat Gacinovic 8: Buzzed around Eintracht’s midfield with intent, poking and prodding to find weaknesses. Stifled as Chelsea settled but teed up Jovic nicely. One of three key passes – leading Frankfurt. His 86.2 per cent pass accuracy was also a high.

    Filip Kostic 7: Elegant player, with a tireless engine. Smashed low free-kick into wall but carried beautifully. More touches than any player in white, constantly looking to get on the ball and create.

    Ante Rebic 6: A foil for Jovic in attack as Adolf Hutter took game to Chelsea. As we saw with Croatia last summer, a tireless runner and worker.

    Luka Jovic 7: Powered an early header at Kepa in a show of intent. Quiet first half but lit blue touch paper early in second with composed equaliser. An ever-willing runner.

    SUBS

    Jonathan de Guzman 6: Brought on to exert a bit more control as Eintracht stamped mark on second half.

    Sebastien Haller 6: Tall frame used to good effect when brought on. Caused confusion. Excellent opening penalty in shootout.

    Goncalo Paciencia N/A: Brought on to take a penalty and then stuttered before firing a weak penalty at a nice height for Kepa.

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