Eintracht Frankfurt had victory in sight thanks to Randal Kolo Muani’s opening goal in the first leg of the Conference League play-off. But Lewski Sofia equalised to make it 1-1.

Goal against the rumours: Top star Randal Kolo Muani has kept Eintracht Frankfurt’s chances in the Conference League alive despite all the speculation about a change. The Adler came to a 1-1 (1-0) draw at Bulgarian outsiders Lewski Sofia in the first leg of the play-offs and can thus hope for more flights for their beloved European trips. Next Thursday (20:30/RTL), any win in the home match will be enough to advance to the group stage.

Once again, life insurance Kolo Muani (6th) opened the can, although he is said to be in agreement with Paris St. Germain – negotiations between the clubs are ongoing. Substitute Hassimi Fadiga equalised late on (90.+5). In between the play-off matches, the SGE will face FSV Mainz 05 in the Rhein-Main derby on Sunday (15.30/DAZN).

There is “no new status” with Kolo Muani after the first rejected offer of around €65 million, Markus Krösche stressed on RTL+ before kick-off. The focus is fully on the play-offs. “It’s international football, we live international football,” said the sporting director energetically: “It’s secondary for now whether it’s Champions, Europa or Conference League.”

And the SGE immediately showed its European face, which has been so radiant in recent years, in the Bulgarian national stadium. Plamen Andreyev, only 18, could only clap his hands after Junior Dina Ebimbe’s shot, Götze laid the rebound across to the completely blank Kolo Muani. Otherwise Frankfurt, without captain Sebastian Rode, did little for the game, letting Sofia have the ball for long stretches on a bumpy pitch.

At one point, the defence was on fire in front of 1,500 travelling fans: after a cross from Welton, Ronaldo only had to slot into the empty net at the second post (40th). But parallel to the line, the Brazilian pushed the ball into the arms of Kevin Trapp – a slapstick miss! On the other side, Kolo Muani and Ebimbe almost punished this seconds later with a double chance (41st).

After the change, Eintracht continued to wait for counter-attacks, Jens Petter Hauge stumbled alone in front of goal (51st). Lewski could hardly come up with anything now, but nipped transition situations in the bud with many small fouls. Fadiga scored a dream goal from 30 metres in injury time to equalise