Jesse Marsch's RB Salzburg entered its Europa League Round of 32 first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt looking to rebound from a loss against LASK this past weekend which cost Salzburg first place in the Austrian Bundesliga. Frankfurt came into the game having won four of its last six games, most recently putting five goals past Augsburg. Only Bayern Munich has racked up more points than Frankfurt since the Bundesliga's winter break.
Marsch's side enjoyed an encouraging first 10 minutes in what was a very open game from the start. In the 12th minute, though, Frankfurt earned a throw-in which was taken quickly and Almamy Toure caught the Salzburg defense napping to play in Daichi Kamada.
The Japanese international scored his fourth goal in seven European matches this season to put the hosts up 1-0.
Kamada strikes first for @eintracht_us
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) February 20, 2020
From that point on Frankfurt continued to pile the pressure on Marsch's side, creating several chances. Kamada could have had a second goal just minutes later, and soon after that missed oppurtunity a crucial interception from Maximilian Wober was required to put off Andre Silva.
Marsch was visibly frustrated as Frankfurt continued to create opportunities at will. Salzburg struggled to deal with the German side's fullbacks in the first half as Toure and Evan Ndicka charged forward putting in dangerous crosses from out wide.
Minutes before halftime, Frankfurt carved open the Austrians again when it took just two passes through midfield to supply Kamada, who sealed the breakaway with his second goal of the game. The strike gave Kamada his second European brace this season; despite not scoring in the Bundesliga yet this term, he has shone on the European stage. After squandering more counter-attacking opportunities, Marsch's Salzburg found itself in a 2-0 hole at the interval.
Kamada again for @eintracht_us after some beautiful buildup
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) February 20, 2020
The American's halftime substitutions failed to inspire Salzburg as Frankfurt ran rampant before Kamada completed his hat trick with a header, the chance again coming from out wide via Ndicka.
Things went from bad to worse for Marsch just minutes later when Frankfurt forced a turnover in midfield and Filip Kostic was played in to tuck away the fourth goal for the Germans. It should have been five after Toure robbed Zlatko Junuzovic of possession and squared it to a wide open Sebastian Rode, who put his effort wide from just yards out.
Daichi Kamada for THREE @eintracht_us
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) February 20, 2020
Adi Hutter's side kept the pressure on and ran Salzburg ragged as it remained unable to cope with the width of Frankfurt. The Germans looked as if they were up against a Sunday League side at times, with Kostic dribbling past defenders for fun before Andre Silva made two consecutive attempts to score with a bicycle kick.
KOSTIC OFFRE LE 4-0 A L'EINTRACHT ! #SGESAL pic.twitter.com/sEkZonSoxO
— Le Football en VOD IV (@LeFootballenVO2) February 20, 2020
Salzburg came back to life in the last 15 minutes, creating a few good opportunities before earning an 84th-minute penalty. Hwang Hee-Chan made no mistake from the spot and scored what may yet prove a crucial away goal for his side. The late penalty is the only positive available to Marsch's men, who can consider themselves fortunate to only have conceded four. His young side will no doubt be looking for the first flight home as they seek to put a wretched Europa League display behind them.
