Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of the Europa League semi-final first-leg clash between Bundesliga's Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea. Maurizio Sarri underlined why registering a top-four spot in the Premier League was the priority this season in his pre-match press conference and he has chosen to rest Eden Hazard tonight. It's a bold call. Full team news to follow, kick-off is 45 minutes away!
Europa League / Semi-final
Deutsche Bank Park / 02.05.2019
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Updated 02/05/2019 at 20:50 GMT
- All
- Highlights
90'+2
Gacinovic has been struggling with cramp and is replaced Jetro Willems.
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On
J. Willems
Eintracht Frankfurt
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Off
M. Gacinovic
Eintracht Frankfurt
90'
Luiz towers above everyone to head it clear before Kante wins Chelsea a free-kick in midfield. There will be FIVE minutes of added time!
89'
Pedro fouls Jovic and Frankfurt have a free-kick on the left. This is perhaps their last opportunity to win the game on their home patch...
87'
Chelsea try to play out from the back but make a mess of it. Jorginho is robbed of the ball but Luiz is well placed to make a recovery.
85'
WHAT A MISS! Frankfurt spurn a golden opportunity to win the game! Abraham is left unmarked to meet a corner delivery, he's a few yards out but somehow heads it over with the bar with the goal gaping!
83'
Kovacic replaces Loftus-Cheek, who must be disappointed to be replaced. Causing chaos with his direct running and pace from midfield, the young England international has had a great game.
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On
M. Kovacic
Chelsea
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Off
R. Loftus-Cheek
Chelsea
81'
OFFSIDE! Beautiful quick-feet from Da Costa leaves Luiz in his wake, he delivers one to the back stick but it just evades Jovic. The linesman's flag is up, wouldn't have counted.
79'
NO PENALTY! Frankfurt are demanding a spot-kick but they aren't going to get it! A cross hits Giroud, did it strike his arm or his chest? The referee isn't convinced it's a foul and waves play on. The hosts fume.
78'
SAVE! Hazard's in-swinging cross picks out Luiz but his header is straight at Trapp who makes a comfortable save.
77'
Desperate to get a second, Chelsea's pressure is relentless. Loftus-Cheek is fouled by Rode on the left flank. All the big men are up from defence to contest this delivery...
75'
DOUBLE CHANCE! How have Chelsea not scored a second?! Kante, as industrious as ever, wins the ball deep in Frankfurt territory. He pokes it through to Loftus-Cheek, whose shot is parried by Trapp into the path of Hazard and the Belgian's volleyed effort is deflected behind for a corner.
73'
Fernandes is replaced by Paciencia in Frankfurt's first switch.
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On
G. Paciência
Eintracht Frankfurt
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Off
G. Fernandes
Eintracht Frankfurt
72'
SHOT! Giroud with an ambitious shot but he doesn't get his angles right and it's wide of Trapp's goal.
71'
Emerson centres for Pedro but Fernandez makes a crucial intervention inside the box. Frankfurt don't have an out-ball at the moment and it's not long until Chelsea are back on the front-foot.
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Image credit: Getty Images
69'
Frankfurt do not possess strength in depth but it's surely about time they made a change.
67'
Chelsea win a corner, which Hazard takes. He floats it to the near post but Trapp punches clear, albeit unconvincingly.
66'
Giroud receives it to feet inside the box but he's wrestled off the ball by Frankfurt's on-loan defender Hinteregger.
64'
A rare foray forward from Frankfurt in this second-period ends in frustration, as Jovic gets too much zip on his ball through to Kostic and it rolls out harmlessly for a goal-kick.
63'
Giroud controls a cross to the back post on the chest, swivels and fires a volley at goal. It's deflected and Chelsea have another corner. Frankfurt can't get out of their own half at the moment.