Electric Ekitike keeps Frankfurt on Champions League course
A goal and an assist from Hugo Ekitike took Eintracht Frankfurt to a 3-0 home win over lowly Heidenheim on Sunday, keeping the Eagles on track for the Champions League.
Days out from hosting Tottenham in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final after the London opener finished 1-1, Frankfurt were in control against their struggling opponents.
Ekitike created Frankfurt's first after 10 minutes, slicing the ball on the counter to Fares Chaibi, who cut through a crowded penalty area for Jean-Matteo Bahoya to tap home.
With 42 minutes gone, Ekitike showed great control to latch onto an Arthur Theate pass and knock it into the path of Germany centre-back Robin Koch, who smacked it into the bottom right.
Germany's 2014 World Cup final hero Mario Goetze was subbed on in the 70th minute and helped seal the result a minute later.
Goetze controlled an Ekitike pass and found Chaibi, who in turn passed it wide to Nathaniel Brown. Brown guided the ball laterally across the face of goal for Ekitike, who tapped in from close range.
The 22-year-old Ekitike now has 21 goals and nine assists in all competitions, having picked up the slack after Omar Marmoush's departure to Manchester City.
With an eye towards Thursday's return leg against Tottenham, Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmoeller told DAZN he would give his players the day off on Monday.
"What's important is we enjoy the moment today, then have a bit of distance from football for a day. Then the anticipation can rise up again," said the 44-year-old.
"It's important for the lads to switch off now, train this week and get back together with the fans on Thursday to reach the Europa League semi-finals."
The victory took Frankfurt to outright third, five points clear of fifth-placed RB Leipzig.
A top-four finish would mean a first ever Champions League qualification via the Bundesliga for Frankfurt, whose only previous appearance in the competition came from winning the 2022 Europa League.
Just months after facing Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League, Heidenheim's defeat leaves the minnows in the relegation playoff spot, seven points from safety with five games remaining.