For Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-final return game in the Europa League also to the Success of an entire season. The state of Hesse to go on a difficult task with a lot of Confidence, despite the recent setbacks.
The support may be the team of Eintracht Frankfurt for sure. The Arena is sold out, of course. The 48,000 enthusiastic spectators will cheer for their Team on Thursday evening in the quarter-finals of the Europa League against Benfica Lisbon (kick-off 21 PM CEST, starting at 20.45 at the DW live Ticker for this) again, just as it was in the last few weeks in the European Cup and in the Bundesliga is always the case.
And probably will leave fans of the club will also again one of the most spectacular choreographies can think of, with those of the club – in addition to the sporting Successes – even beyond the borders of a great deal of attention has caused. For this game against Benfica, the Frankfurter would have been able to sell probably easily double the number of Tickets, the euphoria around the club and the Team is for months, enormous – and yet, this Time there is a small hook.
Unusual Starting Position
The team of coach Adi Hütter has to digest two failure experiences in a row. In the first leg in the Portuguese capital, the Team lost with 2:4. And, most recently, at the 1:3 in the Bundesliga home game against FC Augsburg (attacker Goncalo Paciencia: “that was The worst game of the season”). This is a fact that the Hessen barely know.
Finally, the Concord was flown only by the respective leagues. 15 games without a competitive match defeat had made it to a title candidate in the Europa League and in the League to a contender on the direct Champions League qualification. It seemed that the Team cannot be stopped. And now? “I’m still staying positive. Me the low fret positions. In spite of everything, we still look to a positive season,” says Hütter.
Apparently seems to make now, but for the first time, fatigue on the players felt, and to urge the euphoria of the page. Against the FCA to the best of the Concord already made the 42. Duty game this season – and often with the same personnel in the starting lineup. “This goes to the substance and in the head. The us pulled the Tooth,” says Hütter.
Positive View
Eintracht coach Adi Hütter exudes Confidence
Frankfurt have seen aware of never complaining about the extra games and as an opportunity, and what has certainly not identified also a part of their sometimes spectacular performances in the Europa League. But slowly it first wear make signs.
Attacker Sebastien Haller falls for a couple of Games, against Lisbon is still questionable. The rights defender Danny da Costa, one of the main driving forces of the team, has become exhausted due to its large rotor of use in this long season. Defender Evan Ndicka is locked after the first leg. His colleague Martin Hinteregger still suffering from a thigh injury. The list could go on and on.
But it speaks to the harmony that the leaders of such problems don’t want to hear – if only because the thoughts of all Involved, not problems, but rather opportunities to circles. “Let’s go home”, said sporting Director Fredi Bobic, immediately after the defeat in Lisbon. “Our battle-lust is aroused. We are very, very hot. Our Motivation is 150 percent,” says midfielder Sebastian Rode immediately before the return game. For pessimism, no place for Concord. A 2:0 would be enough.
Eintracht has a lot to lose
And know both Managers as well as players, that they are not in the decisive Season period. An expansion of sports Delle to come at the most inopportune time, because few opportunities exist, this hammering. The Concord has a lot to lose these days – perhaps the hard-earned achievements of a whole season. More important in the upcoming match against Benfica in Lisbon, Portugal.
In the case of withdrawal from the international competition a little nervous would occur in the case of the frankfurters safe flutter, with a view to the direct Champions League qualification. But this is nothing, bringing the Hessen want to deal with. In the case of Concord, it is from the semi-finals of the Europa League. “We want to live our dream,” says coach Hütter, almost defiantly.