BERLIN: Despite their best Bundesliga season in decades, Eintracht Frankfurt know only something close to a perfect performance will help topple league leaders Bayern Munich on Sunday.
With 22 of 34 games played this Bundesliga campaign, Frankfurt sit third and are on track for their first top-four finish since the 1992-93 season.
Frankfurt’s 2022 Europa League win meant a first-ever Champions League participation.
Another crack at the European elite from finishing in the top four this season would be a just reward for Dino Toppmoeller’s impressive side, who have rebounded despite the loss of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City.
Up next is a trip to Bayern, who are eight points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and on track to win back the Bundesliga title.
Frankfurt will be the underdogs on Sunday but have recent form against the German giants.
Frankfurt held Bayern to a 3-3 draw in October, making them one of only four teams alongside Leverkusen, Mainz and Borussia Dortmund who have taken points off the league leaders this season.
Bayern may have won only one of their past four against Frankfurt, but Eagles captain Kevin Trapp was not getting ahead of himself on Thursday.
“We are third and Bayern are 13 points ahead of us, that speaks volumes.
Trapp said the visitors “must get close to perfection in order to get a point or better there.”
Bayern may be sailing in the league but they come into Sunday’s game after two straight draws and Trapp said the hosts will fight hard “so that a crisis isn’t declared in Munich.”
Bayern look set to be without star striker Harry Kane, who was subbed off at half-time in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Celtic.
Frankfurt have their own injury woes, with German defender Robin Koch out and midfielder Mario Goetze in doubt with illness.
Toppmoeller said Friday his side needs “a good plan, a top performance and a bit of luck,” along with cool heads, with the coach calling on his charges to exhibit “a high tolerance for frustration.”
Elsewhere, Leverkusen travel to last-placed Holstein Kiel hoping to keep their slim hopes of defending their title alive.
Coach Xabi Alonso he knew the odds of overtaking Bayern, who they will meet in the Champions League last 16 after Friday’s draw, were slim, but stranger things had happened in football.
“We’re not looking so far (into the future)... Everything can happen. There are still many games. There’s time for anything.”
After establishing himself alongside striker Serhou Guirassy as Dortmund’s attacking threats early this season, English winger Jamie Gittens has hit a lull in form.
The 20-year-old has not scored for nine games dating back to mid-January.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac urged patience with the young winger, telling reporters “Jamie has developed really well, he’s playing intensively and we need to find a balance.
“I’m very happy with Jamie, but you understand there can also be a bit of a dip now and again.”
Joshua Kimmich has played every minute of Bayern Munich’s 22 league games this season — a total of 1,980 minutes plus stoppage time in each match — the only player from the league leaders to do so.
Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has 12 goals in 21 league games this season.
Borussia Dortmund have faced Union Berlin 13 times in all competitions but have never had a draw, winning nine and losing four.
![]()
Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt while talking to Vinícius, has denied racially insulting the Brazil star, who is Black.
UEFA said Wednesday, hours before the game was scheduled to begin, that its appeal body dismissed Benfica’s application against the suspension and that it confirmed the decision of its control, ethics and disciplinary body from Monday.
During the game, the anti-racism protocol was activated but no further action was taken as there had been no evidence against Prestianni.
Vinícius’ teammate Kylian Mbappé said he heard Prestianni use the racial slur five times.
But Benfica has supported their player, claiming Madrid players who said they heard the insult were too far away. The Portuguese club said they welcomed UEFA’s investigation and that they “fully support and believe the version presented” by Prestianni, “whose conduct while with the club has always been guided by respect” toward everyone.
José Mourinho also backed Prestianni and criticized Vinícius for his celebration after the goal – for which the player was booked. The Benfica coach said something always happens in stadiums where Vinícius plays.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday it was wrong to use Vinícius’ celebration to justify the alleged act of racism.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany was among those who also criticized Mourinho for attacking Vinícius after last week’s match.
Mourinho is suspended for the second leg because he was sent off late in the first leg for referee dissent. But he also traveled to Madrid with Prestianni, who trained with the rest of the team on Wednesday before UEFA rejected his club’s appeal.
Buoyant Frankfurt aim for ‘perfection’ against league leaders Bayern
Short Url
https://arab.news/jc58p
Buoyant Frankfurt aim for ‘perfection’ against league leaders Bayern
- With 22 of 34 games played this Bundesliga campaign, Frankfurt sit third and are on track for their first top-four finish since the 1992-93 season
- Another crack at the European elite from finishing in the top four this season would be a just reward for Dino Toppmoeller’s impressive side
UEFA rejects Benfica’s appeal against Prestianni ban for alleged racism toward Vinícius Jr
- UEFA said Wednesday, hours before the game was scheduled to begin, that its appeal body dismissed Benfica’s application against the suspension
- It confirmed the decision of its control, ethics and disciplinary body from Monday
NYON, Switzerland: UEFA has rejected Benfica’s last-minute appeal against the provisional suspension of Gianluca Prestianni, meaning he remains ruled out of the Champions League playoff second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Prestianni was provisionally suspended on Monday for one match following accusations he racially abused Vinícius Júnior in the first leg last week.
The game was halted for nearly 10 minutes after the Madrid forward scored and then celebrated by the Benfica corner flag, upsetting local fans and players. After being confronted by Prestianni, Vinícius accused the Argentine player of calling him “monkey.”
Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt while talking to Vinícius, has denied racially insulting the Brazil star, who is Black.
UEFA said Wednesday, hours before the game was scheduled to begin, that its appeal body dismissed Benfica’s application against the suspension and that it confirmed the decision of its control, ethics and disciplinary body from Monday.
During the game, the anti-racism protocol was activated but no further action was taken as there had been no evidence against Prestianni.
Vinícius’ teammate Kylian Mbappé said he heard Prestianni use the racial slur five times.
But Benfica has supported their player, claiming Madrid players who said they heard the insult were too far away. The Portuguese club said they welcomed UEFA’s investigation and that they “fully support and believe the version presented” by Prestianni, “whose conduct while with the club has always been guided by respect” toward everyone.
José Mourinho also backed Prestianni and criticized Vinícius for his celebration after the goal – for which the player was booked. The Benfica coach said something always happens in stadiums where Vinícius plays.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Tuesday it was wrong to use Vinícius’ celebration to justify the alleged act of racism.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany was among those who also criticized Mourinho for attacking Vinícius after last week’s match.
Mourinho is suspended for the second leg because he was sent off late in the first leg for referee dissent. But he also traveled to Madrid with Prestianni, who trained with the rest of the team on Wednesday before UEFA rejected his club’s appeal.
Latest updates
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.