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Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib scored on his Bundesliga debut during Thursday night’s 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund, with the 22-year-old January signing netting the crucial 71st-minute equaliser that helped Frankfurt secure a valuable point against their high-profile visitors.
Ebnoutalib Marks Dream Bundesliga Debut With Goal Against Borussia Dortmund
The former Elversberg striker combined with fellow January signing Arnaud Kalimuendo to produce Frankfurt’s second equaliser of the evening, justifying his surprise transfer to the Bundesliga immediately. Ebnoutalib was playing for FC Gießen in the Regionalliga just one year ago before catching on with Elversberg in the 2. Bundesliga this season, making his rapid rise to Germany’s top flight all the more remarkable.
Ebnoutalib admitted to feeling overwhelmed during his goal-scoring moment, telling German broadcaster Sat 1 that running towards goal alone was completely new to him in front of such a large crowd. The striker revealed he thought he had touched the ball too late and feared the worst, but managed to find the net despite his initial concerns about the opportunity.
The 22-year-old expressed his amazement at scoring on his debut, describing the feeling as speechless in a separate interview with Sky Germany. Ebnoutalib praised Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmöller for giving him the chance to start immediately, showing faith in the late-blooming striker who has risen through Germany’s football pyramid in remarkable fashion over the past 12 months.
Ebnoutalib also highlighted the perfect understanding he showed with Kalimuendo for the goal, praising his fellow January arrival for timing the assist perfectly with his run into space. The striker concluded that everything worked out perfectly for his memorable Bundesliga bow, as Frankfurt’s rebuilt attack successfully produced what proved to be the game’s most important equalising goal against Dortmund.
