In a tight and tense affair, it was a Dzsenifer Marozsán spot-kick that saw Frankfurt claim a vital 0-1 win over Rosengard.
Tactical and tight first half
After a high paced start to the half, the game calmed down a little, and it was evident that it was two teams who were well prepared. The first chance of the game came after six minutes, when Frankfurt's Simone Laudehr was taken down right outside the penalty area. The resulting free-kick by Dzsenifer Marozsán, however, never made it pass the Rosengård wall.
The hosts where dealt a huge blow when their Canadian goalkeeper, Erin McLeod, had to be substituted in the 11th minute. Sofia Lundgren, who was recently signed by the Swedish club due to several keeper injuries, entered the pitch. It wasn’t until the 29th minute that Lundgren was tested, but the header was straight at her, and she calmly collected it.
Rosengård's first proper chance of the game came in the 40th minute, but Marta's shot from distance was straight at the Germans' goalkeeper. The last opportunity of the half came courtesy of a a pass from Marta into the path of Gaëlle Enganamouit, but the African Player of the Year shot well above the goal. That was it for a tactically well executed half, with little goal-mouth action.
Marozsán makes the difference
Peggy Kuznik's set-piece delivery caused some nervous moments in the Swedish defence just after the break, but Lundgren ended up picking up the ball. Rosengård's first chance of the half would come after a free-kick was awarded when Marta was taken down. However, Ali Riley's shot was straight at the 'keeper.
The biggest opportunity of the game, other than the goal, fell to Frankfurt's Jackie Groenen after 60 minutes when she hit the post with a shot from close range. Frankfurt were slowly getting a better grip on the game, but Rosengård responded with a dangerous counter-attack. Nataša Andonova ran down the left flank, but her pass was blocked. The shot on the rebound comfortably over the goal.
In the 70th minute, the referee awarded the Germans a penalty after Line Nilsson handled the ball in her own area. Marozsán calmly slotted the ball into the net, and Frankfurt got an away goal that could be vital over the course of the two matches.
Rosengård came close to goal in the last 20 minutes, but it wasn’t until the 88th minute that the opportunity they had been craving arose. A corner from Nilsson turned into a scramble, and Frankfurt managed to save a shot off the goal-line. This was as close as Rosengård got, and the game finished 0-1 to the visitors.
Frankfurt stole the win in a game without many big chances, but with two well organised teams. The return tussle is played next week in Germany. The goal scorer, Dzsenifer Marozsán, will miss the game through a suspension after getting a yellow card. Can they cope? Only time will tell.