Frankfurt's best moment of the half arrived in the 24th minute, born from speed rather than patience. A loose clearance fell kindly on the left flank, and Lukas did not hesitate. Without taking a touch to settle himself, he wrapped his left foot around the ball and whipped a vicious cross into the heart of the box.
Ekitike timed his run perfectly, darting between two defenders and meeting the delivery with a clean header. The contact was strong, the direction true. For a split second, the net seemed destined to ripple.
Instead, a defender stationed on the line reacted instinctively, throwing his body into the path of the ball and hacking it clear. Groans rolled through the away end. Lukas stood with his hands on his hips, staring into the box, already replaying the movement in his mind.
Augsburg responded by sinking even deeper. The message was clear. If Frankfurt wanted a goal, they would have to force it through a crowd.
