Bundesliga
Jesper Lindstrom scored his third goal in as many games to fire in-form Eintracht Frankfurt to a 1-0 victory over Mainz as the Eagles leapfrogged their regional neighbours into the top six of the Bundesliga table.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 Mainz
Goals: 1-0 Lindstrom 35' (assist: Borre)
Having won five of their six Bundesliga outings prior to this game, Frankfurt began determined to extend that run of results that has propelled them up the table in recent weeks. The Eagles had five efforts on goal in the opening 20 minutes as they forced Mainz onto the back foot, the most notable of which was a fluttering, swerving 45-yard strike from Filip Kostic that Robin Zentner could only parry to Rafael Borre, who fired over on the follow-up. The Colombian was far more precise shortly afterwards when he collected Sebastian Rode’s threaded through-ball before sliding it into Lindstrom’s path to score a deserved opener. There was very little to see from the visitors at the other end of the pitch, with a Leandro Barreiro volley over the bar their only glimpse of goal in a one-sided first half.
Mainz emerged for the second period eager to avoid a repeat performance, with Jean-Paul Boetius replacing Barreiro, and they had the first chance of the half when Karim Onisiwo created space for Jonathan Burkardt, but Kevin Trapp was equal to his shot from a tight angle. Frankfurt were in no mood to allow their visitors any more hope of getting back into the game, though, and soon exerted relentless pressure again. Kostic delivered a devilish low cross from the left that was just too strong for Borre. Ajdin Hrustic hit the crossbar with an audacious 25-yard lob over Zentner, who later made a fine stop to thwart the outstanding Borre’s powerful drive. Mainz pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, bringing on Marcus Ingvartsen and Kevin Stöger in their bid to burgle a point, and the hosts needed a huge save from Trapp to deny Aaron Martin in stoppage time, but they held on for a well-deserved win.
Watch: Jesper Lindstrom full of cheer
Frankfurt: Trapp – Hinteregger, Hasebe, N’Dicka – Chandler, Sow, Rode (c) (Hrustic 56'), Kostic – Lindstrom (Ache 73'), Kamada (Ilsanker 86') – Borre (Paciencia 85')
Unused subs: Ramaj, Lammers, Toure, da Costa, Durm
Out: Hauge (muscular), Jakic (thigh), Lenz (muscular), Tuta (suspended)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
Mainz: Zentner – Bell (Ingvartsen 77'), Hack (Stöger 64'), Niakhate (c) – Widmer (Brosinski 82'), Barreiro (Boetius 46'), Stach, Martin - Lee (Tauer 64') – Onisiwo, Burkardt
Unused subs: Dahmen, Papela, Nebel, Nemeth
Out: Lucoqui (knee), Kohr (thigh), St. Juste (shoulder), Szalai (neck)
Coach: Bo Svensson