Lyon overpower Frankfurt, Toppmöller ejected

Eintracht Frankfurt have dropped their first Europa League fixture of the current campaign and even lost their coach for the next UEL fixture of the new calendar year after a frustration fueled evening in Lyon.

Dino Toppmöller’s Eintracht Frankfurt have dropped their first fixture of the 2024/25 Europa League campaign and are now winless in three games on-the-spin heading into a crucial weekend league encounter with RB Leipzig. Germany’s RheinMainAdler were overpowered by a superior Olympique Lyon side at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday evening. 

Toppmöller actually defied both versions of his projected lineup, positioning Tuta as a sweeper ahead of a back-three of Arthur Theate, Robin Koch, and Nnamdi Collins. Niels Nkounkou and Ansgar Knauff served as wingbacks alongside the midfield tandem of German internationals Mahmoud Dahoud and Mario Götze. Hugo Ekitiké and Fares Chaibi worked together in a two striker set. 

The German guests found themselves lucky not fall behind early when former Bayern man Corentin Tolisso struck the post in the 7th. Former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette then produced the next chance in the 11th, shooting wide only to the fact that Collins flustered him with close marking. Frankfurt didn’t necessarily begin the match terribly despite the disadvantage in chances. 

It was such that, when Ansgar Knauff scored the opener in the 19th, it didn’t feel undeserved. An excellent through-ball from Götze and delicately placed cross set Knauff up. The finish off the volley was also worth seeing. Lyon nevertheless quickly struck back via a player heavily linked with a Bundesliga move this summer.

Rayan Cerki skills tipped in a Tolisso distance effort to equalize in the 27th. Toppomöller’s side had great difficulty coping with the fast-paced attacks of their hosts for the duration of the opening 45. Only the post saved SGE keeper Kevin Trapp – once again looking shaky – in the 36th. Somehow, the first-half ended without Lyon scoring another goal. 

Toppmöller attempted to shore up his weak left flank by introducing Rasmus Kristensen for Nkounkou at the half. The Germans appeared more alert for about all of five minutes. Cherki tore through the SGE ranks on a counter in the 50th, ultimately setting up Malick Fofana’s 2-1. Three minutes later, Cherki then registered an assist on the 3-1.

In complete confirmation that Toppmöller’s personnel management wasn’t working, Ernest Nuamah totally toasted substitute Kristensen on the third goal. Toppmöller reacted by introducing Marmoush and Can Uzun in the 64th. The two substitutes would eventually combine to pull a goal back five minutes from time.

Marmoush’s poached 85th-minute 2-3 would still come too little, too late. The seven-plus minutes of injury time featured several hard fouls and a series of bookings from Andris Treimanis. Matters culminated in Toppmöller himself losing control of his emotions and being thrown off the pitch on a straight red.