Eintracht Frankfurt has forgotten how to win. At least in the Bundesliga. Can the Hessians make the turnaround in the DFB Cup semifinals at VfB Stuttgart?
Eintracht Frankfurt is challenged in the DFB Cup semifinals on Wednesday (8.45 p.m., live on ARD). The way to the final in Berlin leads for the Hessians via Stuttgart.
the initial situation
Eintracht Frankfurt does not come to VfB with self-confidence. Coach Oliver Glasner’s team went nine Bundesliga games in a row without a win. From fourth place in the table, which they still held during the winter break, the Hessians have slipped down to ninth place. The Appearance at the weekend against FC Augsburg (1:1) gave no hope of an early recovery. The semifinals are all the more important. “Semi-finals are great, but of course we want more and will mobilize all our strength. It’s all or nothing. And we’ll do anything,” said Glasner about the game that could save the season. Last exit Stuttgart, so to speak.
VfB Stuttgart has only just taken the step out of its performance slump. Sebastian Hoeneß was installed as the new coach five match days ago. The Swabians have not lost a single game since then. With the 2-1 win against Gladbach at the weekend, VfB was able to leave the relegation places behind.
The staff
After all, there is a little hope for improvement in Eintracht. Midfielder Djibril Sow is also set to return, as is centre-back Evan N’Dicka. Goal guarantor Randal Kolo Muani also seems to be fit again after his adductor injury. “But that’s what I thought before the last game,” warned Glasner and didn’t want to make a definitive decision.
Eintracht could play like this:
This is how Eintracht could play in Stuttgart.
Meanwhile, VfB Stuttgart is going into the game with a full band, the Swabians have not had a single loss to complain about. Striker Serhou Guirassy, who suffered a cut above his eye in the game against Gladbach at the weekend, is also available.
This is how Stuttgart could play: Bredlov – Mavropanos, Anton, Ito – Vagnoman, Karazor, Endo, Sosa – Millot, Silas – Guirassy
That’s what the coaches say
Oliver Glasner: “The biggest difference since the change of coach is in the basic formation, from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 with variables. This is a good team with fighting power and footballing quality. The recent sense of achievement has given them a new spirit , it seems to be a different spirit and belief.”
Sebastian Hoeness: “Frankfurt are clearly above us in the table. They played a good role in the CL. We are well advised to show a certain humility. But we have gained self-confidence.”
You have to watch out for these players
Eintracht’s defense has been like a jigsaw puzzle in recent weeks, with failures and suspensions forcing Glasner to improvise almost every week. With N’Dicka, what is probably the most capable central defender is returning after a two-week injury. Even if the Frenchman is not playing his best season, it should give stability to the Hessian defence.
Also with regard to the many big players of VfB, who could be dangerous especially with set pieces. At 1.92 meters, N’Dicka is the tallest defender that the Hessians have.
Speaking of VfB standards: Whenever it becomes dangerous after such standards, left-back Borna Sosa usually has his feet in the game. The Croatia international has already provided seven assists this season, and Glasner praised him at the pre-game press conference as one of the league’s best crossers and set pieces. If Sosa arranges the ball, the Eintracht defense should be on guard.
The statistics of the game
Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart have met three times in the DFB Cup so far, VfB won twice, Eintracht once – always the home club. If you add the secondary representation of VfB, the picture from the Hessian point of view is a little darker: In the 2000/01 season, Eintracht lost 1:6 to the amateurs of VfB Stuttgart and thus conceded the heaviest defeat that a Bundesliga club ever had to accept against an amateur club. Incidentally, a two-time goal scorer at VfB at the time: a certain Ioannis Amanatidis, later years as a striker and captain in the service of Eintracht.
Follow the game live
You can watch Eintracht Frankfurt’s cup game at VfB Stuttgart live on Wednesday on the first and sportschau.de live streams. The reporting starts at 8.15 p.m., the program is moderated by Esther Sedlaczek, the expert is Bastian Schweinsteiger. Tom Bartels will comment on the game from 8.45 p.m.
You can also follow the game on the radio: hr-iNFO will broadcast the full length of the semifinals live. Martina Knief (hr) and Christina Graf (swr) comment. At hr1 and hr3 there are regular live broadcasts to hr reporter Tim Brockmeier.
The game can also be heard from 8.20 p.m. in the audio live stream on sportschau.de. There is also a live ticker.
