Eintracht Frankfurt have reached the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal for the second year running after a 3-0 win over Mainz 05 in the 28th Rhine-Main derby. Ante Rebic scored to give Frankfurt the lead in the 17th minute. In the second half, Alexander Hack sent the ball into his own net (53’) and Omar Mascarell effectively ended the game in the 62nd minute. Mainz midfielder Danny Latza saw red shortly before the end in the 82nd minute.
“We controlled the game from the beginning and we’ve deservedly earned a place in the semi-finals,” said Eintracht coach Nico Kovac after the match. “The first two goals were gifted, but you could see how energetic we were. The team reacted well to the 3-0 loss to Augsburg.”
The last quarter-final is between Schalke 04 and VfL Wolfsburg and the winner is to join Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt as the last team in the final four of the competition. The semi-finals draw will take place on Sunday from 18:00 CET in the German Football Museum in Dortmund.
Adler loses the ball, Rebic scores for half-time lead
Both teams began tentatively in Frankfurt’s Commerzbank-Arena in front of the 48,200 spectators and the hosts had several chances before taking the lead. A poor touch from Mainz goalkeeper René Adler, who was making his comeback from a three-month injury lay-off, led to an easy take for Marius Wolf, who squared the ball to Rebic for a simple finish into an empty goal from close range (17’). Frankfurt, who are sixth in the Bundesliga table, remained on top, but couldn’t make any more of their dominance in the first half. Kevin-Prince Boateng had the best of the chances with his volleyed effort from a Wolf free kick, which struck the right side-netting of the goal (28’).
Mainz came out of the dressing room an improved side and were more active after the break; however, the second half goals fell for the hosts again. Haller received a long free kick from Frankfurt goalkeeper Hradecky and played it into the centre, where Mainz centre-back Alexander Hack was extremely unlucky to send it into his own net (53’).
Mascarell extends the hosts’ lead - Latza sees red
The third goal was also caused by an individual error from Mainz; Hack lost the ball on the edge of the box to Mascarell who ran forwards several yards and beat the Mainz keeper with a chipped effort (62’). Frankfurt continued the game with self-discipline and engaged in the challenges, so that the guests were not able to cause any danger.
Latza fouled Marco Fabian in the closing stages of the game and was shown a red card. Frankfurt ran down the clock and secured their entry into the semi-finals.