Eintracht Frankfurt secured a vital 1-0 victory over 1. FC Heidenheim at Deutsche Bank Park. Arnaud Kalimuendo's second-half goal proved the decisive moment, despite Frankfurt finishing with ten men.
The Eagles overcame a late red card and a determined 1. FC Heidenheim side to clinch three crucial Bundesliga points. The hosts entered the match in seventh place, aiming to solidify their European qualification push. Struggling Heidenheim, rooted to the bottom of the table in 18th, desperately sought points for survival.
The game began with Eintracht Frankfurt dominating possession, controlling 67% of the ball. Heidenheim sat deep, frustrating their opponents with a disciplined defensive shape. Clear cut chances remained at a premium for both sides in the initial exchanges.
Frankfurt's attacks lacked incisiveness despite their control. The visitors managed only one shot in the opening 45 minutes. Tensions flared in the 38th minute when Frankfurt's defender Robin Koch received a yellow card for roughing.
Both teams went into the break level, unable to break the deadlock. Frankfurt needed more attacking urgency to breach Heidenheim's stubborn defense. The visitors aimed to maintain their compact shape and perhaps snatch a goal on the counter.
The deadlock finally broke in the 53rd minute after the restart. Arnaud Kalimuendo found the back of the net for Eintracht Frankfurt. Defender Robin Koch delivered a precise assist, setting up the crucial opener for the home side.
Heidenheim responded with renewed vigor. N. Dorsch earned a yellow card four minutes after the goal for tripping. Just moments later, substitute S. Conteh thought he had equalised for Heidenheim in the 68th minute. However, VAR intervened, disallowing the goal for offside, a major relief for Frankfurt.
The match then took a dramatic turn. E. Dinkci received a yellow card for Heidenheim in the 71st minute for a foul. Barely two minutes later, Robin Koch, already booked, collected a second yellow for tripping, leading to a red card. Frankfurt would play the remaining 17 minutes plus stoppage time with ten men.
Heidenheim pushed hard for an equalizer, making several attacking substitutions to exploit their numerical advantage. Frankfurt goalkeeper M. Zetterer was cautioned for delaying the game in the 82nd minute. Despite the disadvantage, Die Adler held firm under intense pressure to secure the win.
Frankfurt registered an expected goals (xG) of 0.92, compared to Heidenheim's 0.15. The home side managed 12 total shots with 4 on target. Heidenheim only fired 4 shots, with just one reaching the target, reflecting their defensive approach for much of the game.
