Skhiri and Cologne bring Eintracht down to earth

Cologne 3-0 Frankfurt
Goals: 1-0 Hübers 49' (assist: Kainz), 2-0 Skhiri 71', 3-0 Skhiri 86'

Both teams were enjoying respective unbeaten sequences ahead of this clash at the RheinEnergieStadion. Cologne’s four-game run included a 7-1 home win against Werder Bremen and a couple of draws against Bayern Munich and Leipzig while Eintracht had scored 12 goals in their previous five in all competitions. The stage was thus set for an action-packed first half. It was caution, however, that prevailed in an opening 45 minutes of very few chances. Denis Huseinbasic went closest for Cologne with a shot off target while the in-form Randal Kolo Muani – he of the 19 Bundesliga goal involvements this season – menaced, but ultimately failed to find an opening for visiting Frankfurt.

After the break, Jesper Lindström’s run and inviting cut-back failed to find a Frankfurt attacker in the danger zone. The Billy-Goats would soon profit from their opponents’ wastefulness. A well-worked corner on the left led to Florian Kainz whipping a pacy centre into the mixer and when Hübers got the slightest of touches to divert home, the stadium erupted. Visiting coach Oliver Glasner introduced Ansgar Knauff and Rafael Borre and the changes increased Eintracht’s attacking impetus. Yet when Die Adler were undone by a superb counter-thrust with 19 minutes to go, the points looked certain to stay in Cologne. Linton Maina led the charge and although Kevin Trapp intervened in a pass meant for Sargis Adamyan, Skhiri was on hand to sweep home. With the home fans bouncing, the 27-year-old Skhiri smashed in his second of the game and fifth this year to cap a memorable second half for the victorious hosts.

• Skhiri has scored more Bundesliga goals [5] in 2023 than any other player.
• Skhiri registered his fourth Bundesliga double and his second this year.
• Eintracht conceded from a counter-attack for the first time this season.
• Cologne are now unbeaten in five Bundesliga games this season (two wins, three draws).
• The Billy-Goats are enjoying their longest unbeaten run since avoiding defeat across the first five matches of the current campaign.

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Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmitz, Hübers, Chabot, Hector (c) - Skhiri, Martel (Lemperle 88') - Maina (Schindler 80'), Huseinbasic (Olesen 67'), Kainz (Thielmann 80') - Tigges (Adamyan 67')
Unused subs: Horn, Köbbing, Soldo, Diehl
Out: Andersson (knee), Dietz (cruciate ligament), Kilian (muscular), Limnios (cruciate ligament), Ljubicic (ill), Pedersen (muscular), Selke (knee), Uth (pelvis)
Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Frankfurt: Trapp - Tuta, Hasebe (c) (Alario 80), N'Dicka - Buta (Knauff 66'), Kamada, Sow (Rode 72'), Max - Lindstrom (Borre 66'), Götze - Kolo Muani
Unused subs: Ramaj, Smolcic, Jakic, Chandler, Lenz
Out: Dina Ebimbe (ankle), Wenig (metatarsal)
Coach: Oliver Glasner