Eintracht Frankfurt's Europa League heroes from Barcelona continue to weaken in everyday Bundesliga life.
Coach Oliver Glasner's team only drew 2-2 (1-1) against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday and have now been waiting for a win for five games.
As a result, the Hessians did not manage a convincing dress rehearsal for the semi-final first leg on the international football stage in London on Thursday at West Ham United.
Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka first headed into his own goal (12th minute), then into that of the guests (32nd).
Daichi Kamada provided the interim lead (66') before Joker Georginio equalized for TSG in front of 50,500 spectators (78').
In the race, the Kraichgauers are one European Cup place further on the spot and have been waiting for a threesome for six games now.
Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß is currently struggling with numerous failures.
Captain Benjamin Hübner and playmaker Christoph Baumgartner, among others, experienced the next setback in the stands.
As with the last 0: 2 at Union Berlin, the Frankfurt team initially struggled with their current balancing act between the Bundesliga and Europa League.
The second home win in the second half of the season after the 2-1 win against VfL Bochum on March 13th didn't work out.
After all, national keeper Kevin Trapp returned after his hand injury.
In his 250th competitive game for Frankfurt, the 31-year-old experienced a faux pas from Ndicka at close range: the defender headed under his own crossbar after a cross from Andrej Kramaric.
After 227 goalless minutes, this was the end of the doldrums at TSG.
The lead visibly encouraged Hoffenheim, who had often been frustrated recently: Trapp had to really stretch when Munas Dabbur shot.
But then harmony came with power – and mostly via Filip Kostic on the left.
The Serb and Hoffenheim international David Raum are the hardest-working crossers in the league.
Kostic acted a bit more conspicuous because he also played a more offensive role: First the winger tested TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann with a solid shot, then he served the subsequent corner to Ndicka to equalize – his ninth assist this season.
The Frankfurters picked up more and more speed in a nickel-led encounter.
Baumann prevented Jesper Lindström's 2-1 with his fingertips.
After the break, however, Eintracht lacked compelling chances for a long time.
Hoeneß was just about to bring in two fresh players in Sebastian Rudy and Rutter when the opponent cheered: Kamada fooled into the right corner with a precise ball.
Hoffenheim got back up again, but it wasn't enough for more than Rutter's headed goal.
In the end, Trapp made a very strong save against Kramaric.