Match Report: Eintracht Frankfurt (H)

Pre-match: Sunday night vibes

An autumnal feel in Köpenick as Eintracht Frankfurt rolled into town. Today was a strange buildup, the pre-match atmosphere and crowds a notch lower than normal. We were a smaller group than usual of UBIers - our success in the lottery for this one was pitiful.

But the stadium all round felt less crowded and boisterous than a normal game in the buildup.

Even the S-Bahn on the way in felt half-empty and our train was littered with Frankfurt fans. They came in numbers but peaceful ones. A welcome contrast to Saturday's embarrassing scenes involving the RW Essen fan-train being stopped and attacked by masked men before the Rostock game.

Who does that? Who even has the time?

Surely if you find yourself throwing rocks at a train full of strangers, in a wet field, at 9.30am on a Saturday, you should be questioning at least some of your life decisions.

No such tomfoolery here.

Lineups were announced, Jeong in for Skarke but a similar team to last week's win in Kiel.

For the visitors, quite a team on paper. Marmoush and Ekitike have been banging them in, ably assisted by the ageless Mario Götze.

First half: The Agony

The noise really ramped up as we kicked off, partly because Frankfurt truly turned up in all senses, their own tifo and pyro show from the packed away end stopping the game before it even kicked off.

This sparked the Unioner into life and the noise lasted throughout, we sang and shouted ourselves hoarse.

Frankfurt were right on it in the first half. For the first 30 minutes we could not get near them. They pressed us relentlessly, forcing hoofs towards our tiny trio up front who were inevitably brushed aside.

Marmoush got in behind early from a long ball, Vogt turning on the afterburners to nip it off his toes. From the resulting corner the impressive Theate thumped a bicycle kick just over. Great volley, superb hair, we all agreed that he was outstanding.

Union were defending doggedly but well enough, but the pressure was constant. Vogt really stood out, commanding the back line and outpacing the speedy Frankfurt forwards.

A goal felt likely, but when it came it was painful. A bog standard corner came in, we missed about five opportunities to clear it, the ball trickled across the face of goal where Götze tapped in the easiest of his career from two yards.

We hoped Union might spark into life, but it was largely more of the same. Hollerbach and Khedira were arguing with each other about something at the restart.

To be honest, Frankfurt looked a class above us, so comfortable on the ball and able to get forward at will.

That said, we didn't give up any clear chances that I can recall.

Any joy we had was down the flanks, Rothe gambolling forward twice, stabbing one half-chance wide and blazing one over on his right foot that he probably should have buried. The latter was a nice buildup, Kemlein snapping in and releasing Vertessen to fire in the low cross.

So, no possession, dogged defence, our left back the only sense of threat. It all felt very last season.

We brightened towards the end of the half, the AF and players getting increasingly irked by some odd refereeing calls which seemed to benefit the visitors. Some excitement came ahead of a corner where Theate floored Leite with a push and somehow both ended up booked.

But overall it was not our finest half of football.

Second half: The Ecstasy (and then a bit more Agony)

At half time we put on our football analysis hats. We agreed that Frankfurt were the best team we've played this season, that Theate had been fantastic and that Hollerbach was having an off day. We didn't hold too much hope for the second half.

We know nothing about football.

A different team came out in the second half, the tables completely turned.

Paddy,the sage of Sektor 3, thought Frankfurt might be leggy from their European exertions on Thursday, and so it seemed, but Union were rejuvenated.

Kemlein sat deeper, controlling play out from the back and laying on some lovely passes to open up chances.

The first big one was conjured by Trimmel, a throw from the left half-cleared to the full back who struck a gorgeous right-footed half volley from 25 yards. It looked in all the way, the keeper had no chance but it bounced off the inside of the post and back across goal.

Contract-extender Doekhi was being tasked with whipping in crosses from deep - slightly odd tactic you have to say - but it almost paid off when Hollerbach got a stretching toe to one which the keeper just held.

With Union firmly in the ascendancy it was strange to see Rothe, Kemlein and another (Vertessen?) hooked at 60 minutes, but on came Jordan, Skov and Schäfer.

We were commenting that it seemed to be set for a frustrating afternoon when Skov charged down a cross and shot forward, supported by Hollerbach and 2v2 aginst the defence.

Skov did well to squeeze it through to Hollerbach who looked miles offside but still produced an ice cold finish, chipping the keeper beautifully, the ball lofting into the top of the net.

The guy next to me was convinced it was on, I was certain it was off. The flag was raised and our half-celebrations cut short. But then a long wait as VAR checked it, clearly seeing a player we all missed playing Hollerbach onside - the goal stood! I know nothing about football.

We were really in our stride now, Schäfer and Skov combining well. The squad has some good depth when those two can come off the bench.

With about 15 minutes to go things got even better as Theate was beaten to a 50/50 by the industrious Schäfer and caught him late for a clear and, importantly, second yellow card. He was incensed but I've no idea why. We gave him a cheery wave goodbye.

Frankfurt were really clinging on now, they won a free kick which Freddie obviously held, but Union were camped in the Frankfurt half.

Nothing seemed to fall for us. Frankfurt had been deep before the sending off, but were now sitting as deep and narrow as they could and leaving no space available as we tried to work opportunities on the wings.

But Union were relentless now, a roiling mass in the stands willing the ball in.

As we ticked into stoppage time we worked it to the right again, a cross swinging in low. It fell to Skarke who did superbly to turn his man and then rifle the ball in at the near post to take the roof off the stadium.

The celebration was carnage, beer and people flying, the last remnants of strained voices lost into the cold night sky. Pure joy.

I took a barge from somewhere and ended up on the floor in a heap after gracefully pirouetting off my step. Another UBIer went down in the full Willem Dafoe in Platoon pose as we toppled like dominoes.

We had time to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves down, the players ready to kick off, before the sucker punch. An offside in the buildup - I can't tell you who or where because I can't see that right touchline - and the goal was ruled out.

Frankfurt's players celebrated it like a goal, knowing they were lucky to be heading home with a point.

For us it was a heartbreaker. VAR giveth, VAR taketh away.

The final whistle blew and everyone was disappointed, but on reflection what a turnaround and performance. We played a very good football team today and overcame a bad first half only to be desperately unlucky not to win.

That shows how far the team has progressed this season and the resilience of the players who could have wilted after the first half. That they came out and overran Frankfurt completely is to their credit.

The bittersweet point leaves us 4th. Heady times in Köpenick!

So, a slow burner of an evening and of a game from Union's perspective, but one that ended up being a beautiful, chaotic rollercoaster of a night.

No better place to be upside down, on the floor, celebrating an offside goal on a Sunday night.

Eisern!

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By @MarkJB