Agency Report –
Frankfurt – Can Uzun’s screamer helped Eintracht Franfurt consolidate a top-eight place in the Europa League with a 2-0 home win over Ferencváros on Thursday.
With just one round of matches in the league phase remaining, the Germans sit second and are all but through after a fifth win from seven games. They visit Roma next Thursday.
Ferencváros, meanwhile, are in an unseeded play-off spot in 22nd before they host AZ Alkmaar.
“It is a great feeling, a really good goal,” Uzun told RTL. “I wanted to show what I am capable of. We’ve got to keep going.”
The top eight go straight through to March’s last 16 while ninth to 24th face a two-legged play-off next month. The bottom 12 in the new-look format go out.
Frankfurt, the 2022 champions, had the best of a largely forgettable first half and Ansgar Knauff spurned the best chance.
The Hungarians, coached by Ireland icon Robbie Keane, struggled to launch attacks and Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp was largely a spectator.
Turkish winger Uzun, 19, then lit up the game with his first competition goal when the visitors failed to clear and he unleashed an unstoppable shot from 20 metres shortly after the break.
The Eagles, third in the Bundesliga, were playing their first game since the official sale of striker Omar Marmoush to Manchester City.
The Egyptian’s ex-strike partner Hugo Ekitike led the line, with Mario Götze just behind, and the Frenchman made it 2-0 with his third goal in three games thanks to some clever skill on the hour.
It could have been more, but the hosts only sporadically troubled substitute keeper Adam Varga after an early injury to Denes Dibusz.
Götze said: “We were dominant, played well, were solid at the back but on occasions we wasted a few openings. But generally it was really good.”
Frankfurt, who had coach Dino Topmöller suspended, were awarded a penalty for handball with 20 minutes to go but it was overturned after a video review.
Marseille forward Elye Wahi has been linked in the media with replacing Marmoush in Frankfurt.
By Christian Johner
