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Frankfurt / Main (AP) - Returnees Luka Jovic celebrated a fairytale debut at Eintracht Frankfurt and gave the Hessians three points against Schalke 04 when they said goodbye to captain David Abraham.
The Serb scored twice at 3: 1 (1: 1) - first in the 72nd minute, then in stoppage time.
Previously, André Silva (28th) gave the home side the lead, which Matthew Hoppe (29th) immediately equalized.
Jovic had only come on ten minutes before his first goal.
"That was a script like in a Hollywood movie," said Eintracht sports director Fredi Bobic on Sky.
The 49-year-old was particularly happy for his outgoing captain: "It was a nice farewell for David to end his career with a win."
After the final whistle, Abraham exchanged jerseys with referee Manuel Gräfe.
"I know I've sparked a discussion or two in my career," said Abraham.
"But outside of the square, I'm a nice person."
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For a long time, the 34-year-old Argentinian, who is ending his career, stood among his teammates and was celebrated.
"When the fans come back to the stadium, I'll come back again," promised Abraham.
“Now family time is the order of the day, now I'm going to spend time with my son.
The Royal Blues' hopes for a lasting upswing have faded again.
After the first win against TSG Hoffenheim (4: 0) and the end of the negative streak of 30 Bundesliga games, Schalke left the field as losers and bottom of the table in the Bundesliga game on Sunday.
"We don't deserve to win," said Schalke keeper Ralf Fährmann.
"Frankfurt was simply better."
With the fourth victory in a row, Eintracht is heading towards the European Cup.
The Frankfurt professionals were initially not only inspired by their recent successes.
At the same time, they wanted to give their captain a good farewell after more than five years on the Main and a fitting reception for the surprise returnee Jovic.
Abraham ended his engagement at his own request and returned to his home country Argentina.
The 23-year-old Jovic is on loan from Real Madrid, where Eintracht sold him in 2019 for around 60 million euros.
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More motivation is not possible.
The hosts started energetically and powerfully, while Schalke hardly developed any initiative and could be happy not to fall behind early.
But Eintracht midfielder Aymen Barkok (3rd / 7th) missed two big chances with shots from 14 meters.
The guests were lucky with a header from Martin Hinteregger (24th) after a corner from Amin Younes, in which the ball hit the post.
Four minutes later, however, Silva used a pass from Erik Durm more consistently.
From the penalty spot he scored to make it 1-0 and his twelfth goal of the season.
But the joy about the lead was short-lived: In return, Hoppe prevailed against Hinteregger and scored the equalizer with a shot through the legs of Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp.
The American had shone with three goals against Hoffenheim.
This chance remained for Schalke and 1: 1 until the break - thanks to 04 goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann, who brilliantly blocked a shot from Durm in the 42nd minute.
In the second half, the Royal Blues were much more active, while the Frankfurters lost the game a little.
Only with the substitution of Jovic after a good hour came more train into the game of unity and the turn.
After Filip Kostic presented Jovic with an ice cold shot to make it 2-1.
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Before the kick-off, a "kicker report" caused unrest at Schalke that the board of directors would look for a successor to sports director Jochen Schneider in the short to medium term.
“You have to ask the board of directors.
Unfortunately, I can't answer the question, «said Schneider to the TV broadcaster« Sky ».
«I'm doing my job.
That's what I can influence.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210117-99-63355 / 4
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