Frankfurt heap more pain on Dortmund

Eintracht Frankfurt overcame the pre-match loss of in-form Omar Marmoush to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at home on Friday, heaping more misery on the slumping visitors.

Frankfurt, who were forced to cut the Manchester City-bound Marmoush from the matchday squad just hours before kickoff, were clinical and controlled.

Striker Hugo Ekitike put Frankfurt in front early and Dortmund had few clear chances despite dominating control of the ball.

In stoppage time, Oscar Hojlund took advantage of a Dortmund mistake in midfield, winning possession and running 40 metres to slide the ball past a helpless Gregor Kobel.

"We know what we had in Omar," Frankfurt's Mario Goetze told DAZN.

"An incredible player, a great character. It's always a shame when a player leaves, but the team did well against Dortmund today."

The result means Dortmund, who played in the Champions League final in June, have lost their past three and have just one victory in their last six games.

Dortmund could fall to as low as 11th depending on results this weekend and are 11 points behind Frankfurt, who are on course for their first top-four finish in three decades.

Dortmund's Pascal Gross said: "It's a results sport and at the end of the day, we couldn't get a result. It's extremely difficult."

Just hours before kick-off, Frankfurt's sporting director Markus Kroesche confirmed Marmoush had been left out of the squad due to a "very, very likely" move to City.

Dortmund's preparation was also less than ideal, amid rumours the club's worst season start in a decade had coach Nuri Sahin facing the sack.

The visitors started strong, Serhou Guirassy heading a lofted Julian Ryerson cross against the post eight minutes in.

Expected to carry a heavier burden after Marmoush's departure, Frankfurt's French forward Ekitike put the hosts in front 18 minutes in.