Defeat in Rome but Eintracht Frankfurt book coveted last-16 spot

Eintracht Frankfurt took on the challenge of AS Roma this evening for Matchday 8 of the UEFA Europa League. The outcome was decided by goals from Angeliño and Eldor Shomurodov who sealed a 2-0 win for the hosts.

Eintracht Frankfurt fell to only a second defeat in the league phase of the Europa League this evening as AS Roma ran out winners in the Italian capital. In spite of the result, Die Adler have secured fifth place and with it direct passage to the Round of 16 stage of the competition. Dino Toppmöller’s men can rest their feet and await to see who advances from the preliminary ties in February. 

Roma made a bright start in an entertaining first-half at the Stadio Olympico. Former RB Leipzig full-back Angeliño posed a threat with an early headed effort and a cross which Dovbyk failed to steer on target. Frankfurt soon came to life as a fine Mile Svilar save repelled Hugo Larsson from six-yards. 

Gianluca Mancini was denied by the post shortly after the half-hour, but the towering centre-half helped construct a deserved breakthrough on 44 minutes. The Italian’s cross was met on the volley by Angeliño whose shot rattled off Tuta’s leg and past Trapp.

Frankfurt rallied after the break as Hugo Eketiké had a chance to round Svilar but the Belgian shot-stopper got back to smother the ball. Roma would restore order on proceedings which prompted Dino Toppmöller into a triple change around the hour as Mo Dahoud, Can Uzun and Niels Noounkou came on. 

However, it would be the Roma bench that proved more influential. Matias Soulé and Eldor Shomurodov were on the pitch less than ten minutes before the Argentine fed the Uzbek who held off Tuta and picked out the lower left corner of Kevin Trapp’s net. 

With the result beyond doubt, Toppmöller gave a debut to 16-year-old Ebu Bekir Is. Roma, who required a result to ensure progression to the knockout rounds, diligently saw out the final act with four minutes of additional time secure a vital win.