Aberdeen bow out of Europe with victory over Frankfurt
With Frankfurt unable to finish any higher than second and Aberdeen already out of the competition and therefore European football in general, there was nothing riding on this clash besides pride and momentum.
At the weekend, Die Adler shook the Bundesliga by beating reigning champions Bayern Munich 5-1, but injuries and suspensions meant manager Dino Toppmöller could not, and probably did not want to, field his best side.
The Dons, meanwhile, currently sit ninth in the Scottish Premiership, which is far closer to relegation than the European qualification spots.
As such, the encounter could have gone one of two ways, and while neutrals will have been hoping for a carefree encounter as both sides looked to end the group stage in style, the lack of jeopardy meant neither side played at full intensity.
The visitors were the better team before the break, with Jessic Ngankam and Jens Petter Hauge forcing saves from Kelle Roos before Nils Nkounkou flashed a fierce drive narrowly wide of the post.
However, it was a very different performance to the one that mauled Bayern, and there was a further injury blow when Éric Dina Ebimbe - who bagged a brace versus the Bavarians - was forced off with an injury with less than 10 minutes on the clock.
Meanwhile, the hosts offered next to nothing offensively before the interval, yet somehow found themselves in front as they converted their only shot of the half, with Duk tapping home Shayden Morris’ low cross.
It was much the same story in the second period, as Frankfurt dominated possession and territory while struggling to truly work Roos, whereas Aberdeen caused next to no problems at the opposite end.
Toppmöller’s side were at least slightly more threatening, with substitute Paxten Aaronson seeing two shots saved and Ansgar Knauff having an attempt from close range cleared off the line.
Ultimately, just like before the break, Aberdeen found the back of the net with their first shot on target of the half as Ester Sokler, on from the bench, ran onto Dante Polvara’s well-weighted ball before keeping his cool to lob Jens Grahl - also a replacement, taking Kevin Trapp’s place at HT.
In the end, this was a tame display from Frankfurt, and considering they have now lost five of their last six matches in all competitions, the Bayern clash appears to have been a one-off.
Remarkably, Aberdeen are now unbeaten in 10 matches against German opposition on home soil, and while this result does not extend their journey in European competition, they will be eager to use this as inspiration ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final against Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Duk (Aberdeen)
