Ansgar Knauff scores again as Eintracht Frankfurt win first leg of their Europa League semi-final
By Tushar Bahl
Borussia Dortmund loanee Ansgar Knauff was on target once again as Eintracht Frankfurt claimed a vital away win in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final against West Ham United.
It has been a special UEFA Europa League campaign so far for Eintracht Frankfurt. And they are now just 90 minutes away from a place in the final. Having beaten FC Barcelona in the quarterfinals, Ansgar Knauff and Eintracht Frankfurt claimed another stunning win on Thursday, beating West Ham United 2-1 away from home.
It was an excellent away performance from the Eagles, who now go into next week’s second leg in Frankfurt with a one goal lead to their name.
Ansgar Knauff got Eintracht Frankfurt off to a dream start as he headed home the opening goal in the first minute of the game. The Borussia Dortmund loanee got on the end of Rafael Santos Borré’s cross and brilliantly headed the ball into the back of the net.
It was Knauff’s third goal for Eintracht Frankfurt in his 15th appearance for the club. The 20 year old has established himself as a regular starter for Oliver Glasner’s side since joining the club on an 18-month loan deal in January.
Knauff’s opener certainly gave Eintracht Frankfurt a big boost, but Michail Antonio scored the equaliser for West Ham United in the 20th minute after a well worked set-piece.
Knauff had a half chance to restore his side’s lead late in the first half. But he wasn’t able to find the target after some good defending from West Ham.
Eintracht Frankfurt finally managed to retake the lead in the 54th minute, with Daichi Kamada tapping the ball home on the rebound after Djibril Sow’s initial effort was saved. That goal proved to be the winner, giving Eintracht a vital one-goal cushion going into the second leg.
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Knauff put in another solid shift at right wing-back for Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday evening. And he will now be aiming to help his team get the job done at the Deutsche Bank Park next week.