BERLIN, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Eintracht Frankfurt suffered a 3-0 home defeat against Atalanta Bergamo in the Champions League on Wednesday, with three goals conceded in five chaotic minutes.
After a win and a loss at home earlier in the campaign, Frankfurt approached this encounter with caution and control. The hosts circulated the ball efficiently to navigate Atalanta's man-oriented press but struggled to find penetration in the final third. Fares Chaibi's harmless shot from a Nnamdi Collins turnover and Robin Koch's wide header from a corner summed up Frankfurt's early promise.
Atalanta, with several changes to its attacking lineup, initially lacked urgency. However, the game changed abruptly in the 35th minute, with both Ademola Lookman and Gianluca Scamacca hitting the same post in quick succession, reminding Frankfurt of the Italian side's threat, as the first half concluded scorelessly.
Frankfurt threatened briefly after the restart through Jonathan Burkardt, but his subsequent limp off with an ankle problem turned the tide. Moments later, a misplaced pass in midfield allowed Atalanta to counter, with Lookman clinically breaking the deadlock.
The visitors sensed vulnerability and struck again almost immediately, as Ederson doubled the advantage on the counter. Frankfurt's disarray was complete three minutes later when Charles De Ketelaere reacted fastest to net a third from close range, effectively ending the contest before the hour mark.
Thereafter, Atalanta controlled the tempo, keeping Frankfurt at bay and securing a commanding away victory. The result drops Frankfurt out of the top 24 in the league-phase standings, casting doubt on their play-off hopes, while Atalanta moves up to ten points, remaining firmly in contention for direct knockout-stage qualification.
"We definitely have to analyze this game, because conceding three goals within five minutes at this level is simply not acceptable," said winger Ansgar Knauff. "We wanted to win today and it is very frustrating that we let it slip away in such a short time. Up until the 1-0, it was an even match." ■
