Eintracht Frankfurt has inflicted the first defeat of the season in the Bundesliga on leaders 1. FC Union Berlin and has gained a lot of self-confidence for the next premier class appearance.
Three days before the Champions League group game against the top English team Tottenham Hotspur, the Hessians won 2-0 (2-0) on Saturday despite being outnumbered and improved with 14 points to fifth place for the time being.
Union remains the leader with 17 points.
In a fast-paced game in front of 50,500 spectators, Mario Götze scored in the twelfth minute and Jesper Lindström (42nd) the goals for Frankfurt's only third home win of the calendar year.
The only downer was the sending off of striker Randal Kolo Muani (68th), who will miss VfL Bochum in a week.
Union started the game with the self-image of a league leader and immediately put the forward gear.
Frankfurt was initially challenged on the defensive, but without being seriously endangered.
The first successful attack by the Hessians then led to success.
Kolo Muani started an irresistible solo on the halfway line and then passed the ball from the backline to the back of the defense to the free-standing Götze, who deliberately converted it into the far post.
Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow, who was under contract with Eintracht from 2018 to 2021, was powerless.
The Berliners shook themselves briefly after the setback and had a good chance to equalize after almost half an hour.
However, Janik Haberer failed with a long-range shot by national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
At the other end, Rönnow thwarted a brace from Götze when he deflected a flick from the 2014 World Champion around the post.
Shortly afterwards, the Berliners were lucky that a shot by Luca Pellegrini hit the crossbar.
The Italian returned to the starting XI after his break due to muscular problems.
For this, frequent player Djibril Sow was initially given a breather by Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner.
The Swiss came on for Götze after 65 minutes.
Shortly before the half-time break, the home side were allowed to celebrate for the second time.
Lindström rounded two opponents in the penalty area and sent the ball past Rönnow, who rushed out, into the net.
Union had the first big opportunity in the second round.
Haberer failed again to Trapp, Niko Gießelmann put the margin over the goal.
Eintracht then weakened itself after 68 minutes: Kolo Muani, who had already been warned, stepped on András Schäfer's foot and saw the yellow-red card for it.
This changed the game's statics significantly.
With a man more, Union pushed the hosts far back in their half and on the connection.
Tim Skarke (79th) failed with a brilliant shot by the strongly reacting Trapp, who finally secured Eintracht's well-deserved success with another brilliant save in added time.