Bundesliga0708 : 01 : Frankfurt 1 - 0 Hertha

Coach Lucien Favre's debut ends in defeat

A 31st minute header by Ioannis Amanatidis was enough to give Eintracht Frankfurt an opening 2007/08 Bundesliga win over Hertha, in front of 45,900 at the Commerzbank Arena on Saturday afternoon (11.8.07). New Hertha coach Lucien Favre's Bundesliga debut ended in defeat.





Chopping and changing
The Frankfurt coach Friedhelm Funkel was without his first choice striker Takahara (knee injury) for the visit of Hertha to the sun-drenched Commerzbank Arena. As was the case in Frankfurt's 4-1 DFB Cup win away to Union Berlin last weekend, new signings Mahdavikia and Inamoto started the game. Kyrgiakos and Ochs were preferred to Preuß and Chaftar. Hertha's new Swiss-born coach Lucien Favre, who was making his Bundesliga debut in charge at the capital city club, chose Schmidt, Gilberto and Müller instead of Simunic, Mineiro and new signing Lucio.




Dull start
Prefect conditions greeted the players as they took to the pitch. Although the tackling was tough, the huge crowd had to wait for around a quarter of an hour before any goalmouth action emerged, as the ever-busy Streit found Kyriagos with a corner from the right. The Greek striker powered his header wide of the right hand post.That was the only chance of the opening half hour, as the teams cancelled themselves out in midfield, so goalmouth action was non existent.




Amanatidis opens the scoring
After almost half an hour of football to sleep by, Streit began to influence the home attack, by crossing the ball to Meier. The former HSV striker could only direct his free header straight at the Hertha keeper Drobny, who was making his Bundesliga debut (27.). Things were different four minutes later though, as Streit produced a pinpoint cross into the Hertha box, where the new Frankfurt skipper Amanatidis headed into the far corner from some five metres out (31.).




Sole Hertha first half "chance"
Taking the lead visibly boosted the home side, although it must be said that Hertha were stronger in the tackle. All the visitors had to show for their first half efforts was a wayward shot by Pantelic which flew well wide of the target. The simply could not find a away through the solid home defence.




Determined Berlin
Hertha made the brighter start to the second half, challenging for every ball as if their lives depended on it. They looked good at times but were unable to threaten the Frankfurt goal. The home side on their part, could or maybe even should have scored on 54 minutes as they mounted a counter attack. An outstretched Hertha leg saved the day as Meier threatened.




Lucio tests Pröll
Favre rang the changes midway through the second half by bringing on Lucio, Okoronkwo and Lakic. Brazilian new signing Lucio almost marked his Hertha debut with a goal as he fired a direct free kick towards goal. But the Frankfurt keeper Pröll produced a stunning save to deny the little midfielder (72.). It was to be the only major Hertha chance of the game.




Late Frankfurt chances
The game remained on a knife edge because Frankfurt launched several counter attacks, none of which were successful. Streit missed a sitter after being superbly played through by Amanatidis, as did Meier, who was denied by Drobny (81.).




Hertha already under pressure
Frankfurt can underline their winning start to the season as they travel to Bielefeld (who 3-1 in Wolfsburg in round 1), whereas Hertha are already under pressure, as they entertain the reigning Bundesliga champions Stuttgart in the Olympic stadium. Stuttgart drew 2-2 against Schalke on Friday night.







Match details:





Eintracht Frankfurt: Pröll - P. Ochs, Kyrgiakos, Russ, Spycher - Inamoto, M. Fink - Mahdavikia, A. Meier, A. Streit - Amanatidis


Hertha: Drobny - Chahed, A. Friedrich, A. Schmidt, Fathi - Ebert, Dardai, Gilberto, Chr. Müller - Pantelic, Piszczek







Goal: 1-0 Amanatidis (31.)


Booked: P. Ochs Russ Lucio




Attendance: 45,900




Referee: Weiner (Giesen)

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