Convincing win in Braunschweig | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt progressed to the second round of the DFB Cup with a 4-1 win over Eintracht Braunschweig. Hugo Ekitiké was the star with two goals and an assist.

Head coach Dino Toppmöller included one new signing in his first starting line-up of the 2024/25 season, with Rasmus Kristensen starting on the right of a four-man defence. Hugo Ekitiké led the line with Omar Marmoush, Mario Götze and Farès Chaibi supporting in attack in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Even first half

In front of a noisy crowd of over 23,000 at the sold-out EINTRACHT-STADION, the first half was a hard-fought affair, with Eintracht enjoying more of the possession but lacking the accuracy in the final third to carve out any clear-cut chances against a dogged Braunschweig defence. The closest the Eagles came in the first 45 minutes was Robin Koch’s header from a corner (10’), which was straight at goalkeeper Lennart Grill, while Chaibi’s deflected shot from a tight angle found the side-netting (28’).

For their part, the second-tier hosts also threatened on occasion but without really troubling Kevin Trapp. Johan Gómez had their best two opportunities – his first attempt following a goalmouth scramble at a corner was deflected behind by Kristensen (27’), before the midfielder fired just over from distance (41’). With neither side able to find a breakthrough, they went in at the break goalless.

Ekitiké turns it on

Frankfurt started the second half with more intent and broke the deadlock after just six minutes. Marmoush carried the ball forward following a turnover and laid it off to Ekitiké, whose brilliant delivery with the outside of the boot was turned in by Chaibi at the far post (52’). That proved to be the turning point as the lead was doubled just four minutes later. Ekitiké was the scorer this time, cutting into the box from the right before burying the ball into the bottom corner (56’).

Some more fine combination play from the visitors produced the third goal, as Nkounkou’s chip into the box was chested down by Hugo Larsson into the path of Ekitiké, who lifted the ball over Grill with a deft lob (61’). That effectively ended the contest and the Frenchman was deservedly given the rest of the night off, with Igor Matanovic replacing him up front.

The Eagles weren’t done there and pushed for more goals in the closing stages. Ellyes Skhiri drew a good save from Grill after being set up by Matanovic (74’), who then forced a stop from the Braunschweig goalkeeper himself with a header (75’). The Croatian did manage to mark his competitive debut for Eintracht with a goal, though, heading in from Marmoush’s free kick to make it 4-0 (88’). After Levente Szabó quickly replied with a consolation goal for Braunschweig (89’), Matanovic could’ve even had another but his first-time finish in stoppage time hit the woodwork. In the end, it was a comfortable win for the Eagles to secure their place in the next round.