Eintracht Frankfurt draws and misses the chance to close in on Bayer Leverkusen

Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-2 draw against Hoffenheim on Sunday was a rollercoaster affair that left the visitors frustrated and unable to capitalize on an opportunity to close the gap on Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga standings.

Coming into the 19th round of fixtures, Frankfurt had their sights set on reducing the five-point gap between themselves and Leverkusen, who occupy second place, especially after Leverkusen dropped points in their own 2-2 draw with Leipzig on Saturday. However, the draw against Hoffenheim leaves Frankfurt still chasing and with more questions than answers.

The match began with Frankfurt showing intent and dominance, particularly through the contributions of French forward Hugo Ekitike. The 21-year-old striker has been in fine form this season, and he made his presence felt early in the game. In the 26th minute, Frankfurt earned a penalty following a clumsy challenge by Hoffenheim’s defense inside the box. Ekitike stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly converted, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and giving the visitors a deserved 1-0 lead. The goal highlighted Ekitike’s composure under pressure and provided Frankfurt with a crucial early advantage.

Despite controlling much of the first half, Frankfurt failed to extend their lead, missing several chances to put the game out of reach. Hoffenheim, playing in front of their home crowd, began to grow into the match as the half progressed, though their efforts lacked the precision needed to trouble Frankfurt’s defense or goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. As the teams headed into the break, Frankfurt appeared to be in control, but their inability to capitalize on their dominance left the door open for Hoffenheim to stage a comeback.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Hoffenheim side, with coach Pellegrino Matarazzo making key adjustments to energize his team. One of these adjustments was the introduction of Nigerian striker Gift Orban in the 63rd minute. Just two minutes later, Orban made an immediate impact, showcasing his sharp instincts and ability to read the game. After a well-worked move down the flank, Orban found himself in the right place at the right time to slot the ball past Kevin Trapp, leveling the score at 1-1. The equalizer electrified the home fans and shifted the momentum firmly in Hoffenheim’s favor.

However, Frankfurt refused to let the setback derail their efforts. Just six minutes after conceding, they struck back to retake the lead. Hugo Ekitike, once again proving why he is considered one of the brightest young talents in European football, completed his brace in the 71st minute. Danish fullback Rasmus Kristensen, who had been a constant threat down the right flank, delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Ekitike’s movement was impeccable as he broke free from his marker and calmly finished past Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper. The goal not only restored Frankfurt’s lead but also highlighted the chemistry between Ekitike and his teammates, particularly Kristensen.

As the match entered its final stages, Frankfurt seemed poised to claim all three points and secure a vital victory. However, Hoffenheim had other ideas. The home side pushed forward with urgency in the closing minutes, throwing players into the attack in search of an equalizer. Their persistence paid off in the dying moments of the game. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Czech forward Adam Hlozek delivered the decisive blow. Following a scramble inside Frankfurt’s penalty area, Hlozek reacted quickest to a loose ball, firing it into the net to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw. The late equalizer sparked wild celebrations among the Hoffenheim fans and left Frankfurt players and staff visibly deflated.

The draw leaves Eintracht Frankfurt in third place in the Bundesliga with 37 points, five points behind Bayer Leverkusen and 11 points adrift of league leaders Bayern Munich. Bayern, who secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Freiburg on Saturday, continue to set the pace at the top of the table. For Frankfurt, the result is a missed opportunity to put pressure on Leverkusen, especially with a challenging schedule ahead.

Hoffenheim, on the other hand, will take encouragement from their resilience and ability to fight back against one of the league’s top teams. The result moves them to 14th place in the standings with 18 points, giving them some breathing room in their battle to avoid relegation.

For Frankfurt, questions will be asked about their defensive lapses and inability to manage the game in crucial moments. While Hugo Ekitike’s performance was a standout, the team’s overall lack of focus and composure in the final stages proved costly. With the Bundesliga entering a critical phase, Frankfurt must regroup quickly if they are to maintain their push for a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League. Meanwhile, Hoffenheim will look to build on this result as they aim to climb further away from the relegation zone in the weeks to come.