Frankfurt held by Stuttgart

Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 VfB Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Rode 55’, 1-1 Silas 75’ (assist: Haraguchi)

There was a tentative start in Frankfurt with neither side in particularly confident mood after no wins in their past two matches. Stuttgart had performed well in defeat to Bayern Munich last weekend though and impressed by edging possession and winning most challenges in a battling opening 30 minutes. A mazy burst upfield by Randal Kolo Muani and one-two with Rafael Borre gave the home fans something to cheer, even if no opportunity resulted. Stuttgart threatened to tear their way through the hosts’ defence on the break, with Tiago Tomas finding Gil Dias only for a defensive block to thwart the opening. Juan Jose Perea had a shot shortly before the break but snatched at it with Makoto Hasebe bearing down on him. That summed up a first half dominated by the two defences.

Frankfurt registered their best shot of the game within seconds of the restart, with Philipp Max bursting to the edge of the box but dragging wide. The hosts turned up the tempo somewhat and were rewarded with Rode looping the ball over Fabian Bredlow for the opening goal. Stuttgart, who have struggled to turn spirited performances into points recently, looked deflated after conceding. Max swiped another effort just wide, and Kolo Muani blazed over for the rejuvenated hosts. Frankfurt’s failure to add a second would haunt them though, as Silas stroked Stuttgart level after receiving a neat Haraguchi through-ball on the break. Silas and fellow Stuttgart substitute Enzo Millot both had chances to win it in a frenetic closing phase, and the visitors must be the happier side with the point that lifts them clear of the bottom two for now.

• Rode has scored four Bundesliga goals this season - more than in any other campaign - from just five shots.
• Eintracht have scored seven goals in open play from crosses this season, which is the most in the Bundesliga.
• Frankfurt scored their 46th goal of the season today - more than in the entire last season (45).
• Stuttgart’s Hiroki Ito was the only player on the pitch to win 100% of his challenges in the first half.
• Silas scored his first ever goal as a substitute in the Bundesliga.
• Stuttgart coach Bruno Labaddia remains unbeaten in Frankfurt on his seventh visit there - taking four wins and three draws on the sidelines.

>>> Get Kolo Muani for your Fantasy team for 14.3M!

Frankfurt: Trapp - Tuta, Hasebe (c), Ndicka - Buta, Rode (Jakic 71'), Sow (Alario 86'), Max (Lenz 90+1') - Borre (Kamada 71'), Götze - Kolo Muani
Unused subs: Ramaj, Chandler, Smolcic, Aaronson, Alidou
Out: Dina Ebimbe (ankle), Lindstrom (ankle)

Coach: Oliver Glasner

Stuttgart: Bredlow - Anton, Mavropanos, Ito, Sosa - Endo (c), Karazor, Haraguchi (Millot 78') - Dias (Coulibaly 63'), Perea (Silas 63'), Tomas (Führich 63')
Unused subs: Müller, Vagnoman, Zagadou, Führich, Nartey, Pfeiffer
Out: Guirassy (adductor), Stenzel (thigh)
Coach: Bruno Labbadia