Eintracht Frankfurt Eliminated from UEFA Champions League After Defeat to Qarabag

Eintracht Frankfurt’s aspirations to qualify for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League playoff round have come to an abrupt end. Their recent match in Baku against Qarabag resulted in a 3-2 defeat, sealing their elimination from the competition.

As reported by Get German Football News, the loss also likely precipitated the departure of head coach Dino Toppmöller. With Qarabag considered one of their easier opponents, it was expected that action would be taken if results did not improve. Following the disappointing outcome in Azerbaijan, this decision seems imminent.

The match began poorly for Eintracht, as their defense was breached within the first five minutes. Qarabag’s Abdellah Zoubir and Elvin Jafarguliyev exploited gaps in the Frankfurt defense, leading to Leandro Andrade scoring the opening goal after a rebound, putting the hosts ahead 1-0.

However, Eintracht responded swiftly, equalizing in the 10th minute. Ritsu Doan’s impressive dribble disrupted Qarabag’s defense, allowing Can Uzun to find the net, restoring parity at 1-1. Uzun continued to be a threat, but despite dominating possession at times, Eintracht struggled to convert chances into goals.

The first half concluded with both teams tied 1-1, but the second half was largely uneventful, marked by injury delays and lackluster play. Both teams were unable to create clear scoring opportunities, with minimal attempts to draw penalties met with disinterest from the referee.

In the 76th minute, a more blatant foul resulted in a penalty awarded to Eintracht, which Fares Chaïbi converted, momentarily giving Frankfurt a glimmer of hope with a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, their defensive frailties resurfaced quickly as they allowed Qarabag to equalize again.

In the final moments of the match, lapses in concentration allowed Qarabag to score a last-minute winner, sealing a 3-2 defeat for Eintracht Frankfurt and confirming their elimination from European competition.

The performance ratings for Eintracht’s players were generally low, with Kaua Santos receiving a 4, while Nathaniel Brown, Ritsu Doan, and Can Uzun were among the few who performed adequately. Interim head coach Dennis Schmitt’s decisions, particularly the early substitutions of his best players, have raised questions about his future leadership.

This match not only marks a significant setback for Eintracht Frankfurt but also places pressure on the management to reassess their strategy following a series of disappointing results.