MY ACCOUNT
Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai scored as RB Leipzig retained the DFB-Pokal with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Saturday’s final at the Olympiastadion.
Nkunku – playing what will likely be his final game for Leipzig amid suggestions he is set to join Chelsea – beat Kevin Trapp with a deflected effort 71 minutes into a tight encounter in Berlin.
Leipzig were rarely threatened by an uninspired Eintracht team, and Marco Rose’s men wrapped up the victory when Nkunku turned provider, teeing up Szoboszlai to score five minutes from time.
That meant Leipzig capped a third-placed Bundesliga finish with a second major trophy in as many seasons, while Oliver Glasner’s final game in charge of Eintracht was one to forget.
Timo Werner spurned a glorious chance to put Leipzig ahead after four minutes, side-footing straight at Trapp following a lightning counter-attack.
Randal Kolo Muani hit the side netting from a tight angle and Nkunku forced Tuta into a last-ditch block at the other end, but both sides struggled to break their opponents down in a cagey first half.
Eintracht’s threat grew after the interval, but Mario Gotze volleyed straight at Janis Blaswich when presented with their best sight of goal, and Glasner’s side were swiftly punished.
There was a huge stroke of fortune as Nkunku struck first, the Frenchman cutting in from the left before seeing his shot take two deflections to beat the unfortunate Trapp.
Eintracht never looked like fighting back from there, though, and Leipzig put the result beyond all doubt when Szoboszlai fired into the bottom-left corner after composed play by Nkunku.
What does it mean? Leipzig continue Pokal reign
Much to the rest of Germany’s chagrin, Leipzig have emerged as DFB-Pokal specialists in recent years, reaching four of the last five finals and winning the last two of those.
Saturday’s victory made Leipzig the eighth different club to successfully defend Germany’s domestic cup, also doubling the club’s overall tally of major trophies.
Fond farewell for Nkunku?
This match was probably Nkunku’s last in a Leipzig shirt, with the versatile attacker widely expected to become the latest in a long line of big-money Chelsea recruits.
That Nkunku claimed a goal and an assist to fire Leipzig to glory was fitting, with the France international having played such a key role in their cup run – he has scored on each of his last four DFB-Pokal appearances.
Indeed, he has been directly involved in all four goals Leipzig have scored in DFB-Pokal finals. Since this data is available (2006) only Robert Lewandowski has managed more goal involvements in the final of the competition (eight).
Uninspired send-off for Glasner
Having been tentatively linked with the vacant post at Tottenham, Glasner saw his Eintracht departure confirmed in May before overseeing a somewhat dispiriting seventh-placed finish in the Bundesliga.
Eintracht were unable to replicate last term’s Europa League heroics in Glasner’s final match in the dugout, only managing two attempts on target and failing to create a single big chance.
What’s next?
Leipzig will be looking to replace Nkunku as they bid to improve on another strong campaign next term. For Eintracht, meanwhile, attention will now turn to appointing Glasner’s successor.
