Doan’s solo goal helps Frankfurt win Rhine-Main derby

Eintracht Frankfurt secured a vital win before the international break with Ritsu Doan’s late strike against Mainz.

Mainz’s difficult start to the season continues with a narrow defeat away at Eintracht Frankfurt. Bo Henriksen’s team has a perfect record in Europa Conference League, but they only have five points from the first ten Bundesliga games.

Frankfurt returned to winning ways with a spirited performance. Ritsu Doan, who only found the net in the second matchday against TSG Hoffenheim with a brace, was a matchwinner with a stunning strike in the 81st minute.

The ex-Freiburg winger showed quick feet after receiving the ball on the edge of the box from substitute Nathaniel Collins before a superb finish to beat Robin Zentner.

After an uneventful first-half, Dino Toppmöller made a couple of substitutions for the restart. Ansgar Knauff came very close to break the deadlock ten minutes into the second-half. Mahmoud Dahoud created a couple of more chances for the hosts before the decisive moment of the match from the Japanese international.

Elye Wahi had a great chance to end his goalless spell, but the Frenchman was not able to score facing Zentner in one-on-one chance. Jae-Sung Lee was Mainz’s hero in the win over Fiorentina, but he couldn’t get a shot away in a crowded box in the best chance of the game for the visitors.

Frankfurt climbed to seventh after successive home wins, while Mainz are only ahead of Heidenheim in the standings. After the international break, the two teams will play against Hoffenheim and Köln, respectively.