Eintracht Frankfurt kicked off the second half of the Bundesliga season with a decisive 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Deutsche Bank Park on January 19, 2025. This match marked the first game without their star striker Omar Marmoush, who is poised to complete his transfer to Manchester City.
Before the match, Eintracht Frankfurt was riding high on confidence, thanks to their form, which kept them third on the table with 36 points. Conversely, Borussia Dortmund was experiencing mounting pressure, having accumulated no points from their first three competitive matches of the year, leaving them languishing at tenth place with 25 points. Nuri Sahin, head coach of Dortmund, faced scrutiny as his team continued to fall short of pre-season expectations.
The match kicked off with both teams eager to find their rhythm. Frankfurt quickly asserted their dominance, showcasing their skills through sharp counterattacks. After just 18 minutes, Hugo Ekitiké found the back of the net, giving Frankfurt the early lead with his ninth goal of the season. His precise finish came from crafty interplay, where Rasmus Kristensen provided the assist after initiating the attack himself.
Defined by their tactical maturity, Frankfurt thrived even without Marmoush, who reportedly did not play due to the impending transfer negotiations. The fans experienced waves of emotion as Marmoush attended the match from the stands, later interacting with his teammates post-match. His impending move to Manchester City, amounting to around €80 million, had been the talk of the week.
Die-hard fans were reminded of Marmoush’s latest performance, which had been exciting—he netted one goal and provided two assists during a recent 4-1 victory against SC Freiburg. Ironically, this match against Dortmund was expected to be his farewell, echoing sentiments of nostalgia and anticipation.
The second half saw Dortmund trying to claw back control, but it was evident the BVB players struggled under the weight of expectation. Despite increased possession, they had difficulty creating clear chances, displaying nerves and indecision. Their frustrations were compounded by missed opportunities for penalties after seemingly obvious fouls inside the box.
With Dortmund faltering, Frankfurt's disciplined defense held their ground remarkably well, effectively neutralizing the threat from their rivals. Throughout the match, Eintracht exhibited unity and poise, even managing to extend their lead deep within injury time. Oscar Hojlund sealed the win with his first Bundesliga goal, running through on goal and finishing expertly past Gregor Kobel.
When the final whistle blew, Frankfurt fans erupted with joy, celebrating not only the victory but also the strong performance reflected throughout the squad. Meanwhile, the Dortmund supporters were left to ponder the club’s future direction, as trainer Nuri Sahin’s position appeared increasingly precarious.
Post-match, Eintracht's sporting director Markus Krösche expressed the gravity of Marmoush’s departure, acknowledging, "The likelihood of him leaving us is very, very high," adding how the team would need to rally together to fill the void left by such a prolific scorer.
Overall, the match was not only significant for claiming three points but also symbolized the start of the post-Marmoush era for Eintracht Frankfurt. With the team’s performance indicating robustness and potential for the remainder of the season, fans have reason to believe they can continue competing effectively at the top level.