Frankfurt lose in Dortmund as Riera's prospects and Euro hopes hit
Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy scores his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa Eintracht Frankfurt lost 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund on Friday, severely hampering their chances of grabbing a late Conference League spot and leaving the future of coach Albert Riera hanging in the balance. Media reports have said he will be sacked after the game or following the season-ending match with VfB Stuttgart on May 16 - whatever happens.
The Spaniard only took over in late January and eighth-placed Frankfurt are still battling Freiburg for the Bundesliga's last European place. But now if Freiburg win against Hamburg SV on Sunday, Frankfurt's European hopes are over after a run of qualifications over recent years. Riera was booed by home fans during last weekend's defeat by Hamburg which followed a bizarre press conference where he ranted at the media.
Second-placed Dortmund were already assured of a Champions League spot for next term and had little to play for. But neat goals from Serhou Guirassy and Nico Schlotterbeck as well as a first club strike for Samuele Inacio made sure of second spot. Can Uzun opened the scoring early for Frankfurt but then it all went wrong and Jonathan Burkardt's second late on came too late.
There were emotional home goodbyes for former Germany defender Niklas Süle, who is retiring aged 30 and playmaker Julian Brandt, who is leaving Dortmund on a free transfer. Borussia Dortmund's Maximilian Beier in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa Eintracht Frankfurt's Jonathan Burkardt scores his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Signal Iduna Park.
Bernd Thissen/dpa Borussia Dortmund's Julian Brandt is substituted by coach Niko Kovac during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck complains to referee Patrick Ittrich during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Signal Iduna Park.