Frankfurt Vs Ajax

Eintracht Frankfurt will step onto their home turf at Deutsche-Bank Park on Thursday night with one clear objective in mind: securing their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. Having earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the first leg against Ajax in Amsterdam, Dino Toppmöller’s squad carries both momentum and a slim advantage into this decisive second leg encounter. The German side finds itself in a promising position, thanks to goals from Hugo Larsson and Ellyes Skhiri, who turned the game around after Ajax had initially taken the lead through Brian Brobbey. Now, all Frankfurt needs to do is avoid defeat to ensure progression to the next stage, where a clash against either Tottenham Hotspur or AZ Alkmaar awaits.  

Despite recent inconsistencies in their domestic performances, Frankfurt can take solace in their exceptional home record in European competition this season. The Bundesliga side has emerged victorious in each of its last three home fixtures on the continental stage without conceding a single goal—a feat they have not achieved in over three decades. Their defensive resilience and ability to capitalize on home advantage have been key factors in their Europa League campaign so far.

The only real blemish on their home record in European play this season came against Viktoria Plzen, a match in which Frankfurt appeared to switch off in the dying moments. After leading by two goals with just four minutes remaining, they allowed their opponents to snatch a 3-3 draw, a result that should serve as a cautionary tale heading into this crucial second leg against Ajax. However, that result aside, Frankfurt has demonstrated formidable strength at home, dismantling teams such as RFS, Slavia Prague, and Ferencvaros en route to a fifth-place finish in the Europa League league phase.

Historical precedence also favors the German side, as they have advanced to the next round on all seven previous occasions when winning the first leg away from home in European competition. This statistic should provide additional confidence to both players and supporters alike. However, while their European campaign has been characterized by strong performances, their domestic form has taken a worrying dip in recent weeks.

Bundesliga struggles have cast a shadow over Frankfurt’s recent results, with their league form declining alarmingly. A concerning trend has emerged, as no home team in the Bundesliga has managed to secure a victory over the past two matchdays, and Frankfurt has been a victim of this pattern, suffering back-to-back defeats. Their 4-1 thrashing at the hands of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen was a stark reminder of the gap between them and the Bundesliga’s top teams. That defeat was followed by another setback on Sunday, when they lost 2-1 to Union Berlin in a game they should have won. Leading after an hour of play, Frankfurt somehow let their advantage slip away, conceding twice in the final stages against a Union side that had been in a poor run of form. To make matters worse, Hugo Ekitike squandered a golden opportunity to salvage a point, missing a last-gasp penalty in stoppage time.

Despite this downturn in domestic form, Frankfurt remains in the Bundesliga's top four, though their position has become precarious. They currently sit just a single point ahead of Freiburg, with three consecutive league defeats threatening their Champions League aspirations for next season. The upcoming clash against Ajax presents an opportunity to shift the focus back to their European ambitions, and they will be eager to maintain their flawless record against Dutch opposition in Frankfurt. Remarkably, this will be the first time they host a Dutch club since the 1980-81 season, when they overcame Utrecht with a 3-1 victory.

On the other side, Ajax finds itself in an unenviable position as it attempts to overturn the first-leg deficit. The Dutch giants have historically struggled when traveling to Germany, securing just one victory in their last five visits. That lone success came in 2021 when they triumphed 3-1 over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. However, recent history does not bode well for the Eredivisie leaders, as they have been eliminated from European competition on eight of the last nine occasions after losing the first leg at home. The exception to this trend, however, was a memorable one—Ajax's stunning 4-1 victory away to Real Madrid in 2019, a performance that saw them defy the odds and progress in spectacular fashion.

Manager Francesco Farioli will be hoping his side can replicate that same level of resilience and fight at Deutsche-Bank Park. While overturning a deficit on the road is a daunting challenge, Ajax can draw confidence from their remarkable track record in extra-time scenarios. The Dutch side has progressed from each of its last four European ties that required extra time, including their dramatic victory in the previous round against Union SG, a match in which they played with ten men for an extended period yet still managed to find a way through. If they can force this encounter into an additional 30 minutes, history suggests they could have the upper hand.

Ajax’s domestic form remains strong, and they head into this fixture buoyed by a crucial 1-0 victory over Zwolle at the weekend. That result helped them maintain their comfortable eight-point lead over PSV Eindhoven at the summit of the Eredivisie table. However, early elimination from European competition would undoubtedly be a disappointment for the Dutch club, particularly given their recent struggles in knockout tournaments. Their exit from the KNVB Beker at the hands of AZ Alkmaar earlier in the year was an unwelcome setback, and they will be desperate to avoid another premature departure, especially considering AZ is a potential quarter-final opponent should they pull off a comeback against Frankfurt.

Tactically, Ajax will need to be bold and aggressive in their approach. The challenge they face is clear—they must score at least twice to stand a chance of progressing. This necessity could see them adopt an attacking mindset from the outset, aiming to put Frankfurt under pressure early on. Players like Brian Brobbey, who opened the scoring in the first leg, will need to be clinical in front of goal. Additionally, they will look to key creative figures such as Steven Bergwijn and Kenneth Taylor to unlock Frankfurt’s defense.

However, Ajax must also be mindful of their vulnerabilities at the back. Frankfurt has demonstrated time and again this season that they are more than capable of punishing defensive lapses, particularly in transition. The likes of Hugo Larsson and Ellyes Skhiri will be eager to exploit any spaces left by an adventurous Ajax side. Furthermore, Frankfurt’s ability to absorb pressure and strike on the counter could prove to be the deciding factor in this tie.

One of the biggest battles will take place in midfield, where both sides possess talented and industrious players capable of dictating the tempo. The physicality and defensive discipline of Frankfurt’s midfield, led by Skhiri and Sebastian Rode, will be crucial in disrupting Ajax’s passing rhythm. On the other hand, Ajax will rely on the technical ability of their central midfielders to control possession and create openings.

Ultimately, this second leg presents a fascinating clash between two sides with contrasting strengths and weaknesses. Frankfurt enters the tie with a clear psychological advantage, knowing that avoiding defeat will see them through. Meanwhile, Ajax must find a way to produce a near-flawless performance under pressure.

The stage is set for a dramatic European night in Frankfurt. The home fans will be in full voice, knowing that their side is on the brink of another significant step in their Europa League journey. Will Frankfurt hold firm and secure their passage to the quarter-finals, or can Ajax summon the spirit of 2019 and pull off another famous comeback? The answer awaits under the lights at Deutsche-Bank Park.