He signed dozens of autographs and showed off his skills in the first session. Top newcomer Mario Götze has arrived at Eintracht Frankfurt. On the other hand, a total of twelve players were missing at the start of training.
Again and again Mario Götze had to blink. Of the Top newcomer looked straight into the sun when he fulfilled the wishes of the fans after his first training session at Eintracht Frankfurt: dozens of selfies and autographs on everything the fans showed him. Jerseys, scarves, shoes, or framed photos. Götze lasted 13 minutes. The fans loved it. The fan shop sellers too. The pre-orders for the Eintracht jersey with the name Götze are currently going through the roof.
“Everything is very, very positive here, good weather, good training ground, many fans, my first time with the team, I’m very happy,” said Götze after his first session. The 29-year-old, who scored Germany’s World Cup title goal in 2014, smiled often during his performance in Frankfurt. First during training, but above all in the subsequent press conference. “I’m looking forward to the Bundesliga and the games in the Champions League. I want to go ahead in the team, but not with words, but on the pitch.”
First training session for Götze, Alario, Kolo Muani and Co.
Mario Götze was one of the first to come to training, like all the other players on mountain bikes from the new professional camp to the training ground. He didn’t come into contact with the more than 1,000 fans who came to the Frankfurt stadium for the start. Because of the Coldplay concert at the beginning of July, large parts of the stadium were cordoned off. Then quickly tied the orange shoes and off we went for Götze and Co. Applause from the fans as they warmed up, after numerous exercises then the first training game.
Götze was not the linchpin, as was the case in the first training session with the new team. His ability flashed again and again, for example when he let the balls of his colleagues clap or looked for the pass into the room. Two other offensive newcomers have already shown that they know exactly where the goal is. Either Lucas Alario as well as Randal Kolo Muani headed a goal in practice. Kolo Muani also showed how dynamic and fast he is on the pitch. And how he can put opponents under pressure.
In total, twelve players were missing at Eintracht’s training session. Eleven players who have until the beginning of July because of the games of their national teams free: Kevin Trapp, Filip Kostic, Jens Petter Hauge, Kristijan Jakic, Ansgar Knauff, Djibril Sow, Almamy Touré, Ajdin Hrustic, Daichi Kamada and the newcomers Hrvoje Smolcic and Farid Alidou. New defender Buta will also be out until at least September after knee surgery.
Glasner tips right after the first Götze training session
When Eintracht’s first training session was over after an hour and a half, coach Oliver Glasner grabbed his prominent newcomer. Glasner explained his idea of football to his playmaker with gestures. Glasner’s arms actively shifted, Glasner’s body fell back, Götze watched intently.
A little chat after training: Oliver Glasner with Mario Götze
Then Götze went to the Eintracht fans at the training ground, patiently gave autographs and selfies. “I took a photo of him. He has already shown that he is strong in terms of play,” said Eintracht supporter Udo Stendter from Frankfurt. His buddy Mike Bonnawik from Bad Vilbel got an autograph from Götze and enthused: “He really took his time with everyone here.”
A kindergarten group at the training ground also got their longed-for photo with Eintracht’s new top celebrity. After 13 minutes with the fans it was over. Mario Götze jumped onto his mountain bike and drove back to the cabin. Then there was the press conference, his first day at work in Frankfurt was over.
