Against Gündoğan & Sané
© Imago
Tickets are offered on the black market at record prices, and there has been only one topic in the city for days, and there is also tingling with professionals. The return to Europe’s largest football stage after 940 days electrifies players, those responsible and fans of Eintracht Frankfurt. “There are only opportunities for us, no risks,” said sports director Markus Krösche before starting the premier class against Galatasaray around the German stars Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan.
The duel with the Turkish champion on Thursday (9 p.m./DAZN) is the start of a crispy league, in which FC Liverpool, FC Barcelona, SSC Naples, Tottenham Hotspur and Atlético Madrid are waiting for more hammer tasks for the Hesse. “It feels extraordinary to play with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, and that’s what it is. The boys should enjoy it. It will be a great experience for us,” said coach Dino Toppmöller.
“It is good for the boys to measure themselves with the best in Europe and also for us as a club to see where we stand. For us this is a sensational situation to play Champions League again,” explained Krösche full of anticipation and formulated the goal: “We want to bring our football to the square. Then we take a look at how many points in the end.”
The opening game harbors some explosiveness – even away from the lawn. Because at Eintracht there is concern that the domestic arena is taken by thousands of gala fans. Board member Philipp Reschke had therefore formulated the expectation in advance “that our season ticket holders and members generally do not give their cards to guest fans”.
On the black market, tickets for the long -sold out game were offered for four -digit amounts. “A duel with such a demand is attracted by a lot of fraudsters. Since the draw, there have been countless offers on the usual platforms. We have to expressly warn against buying cards on the black market,” said Reschke. The police classify the duel because of the expected rush of Galatasaray supporters who organize a fan march through downtown Frankfurt before the kick-off.
Galatasaray relies on newcomer Gündoğan against Eintracht Frankfurt
It also has a sporting start, after all, the rival leads the table in the home league confidently after five wins from five games. “Of course this is a good team. You just have to look at the players: Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané or İlkay Gündoğan embody an outstanding level,” said U21 international Nathaniel Brown recently in a “kicker” interview.
Especially Gündoğan, who made his debut in the gala jersey last Saturday in the 2-0 against Eyüpspor, plays a central role. “We found our heads for the team with İlkay. His invaluable experience will help us. He is one that everyone looks at. For us, his presence is sporty and human,” said coach Okan Buruk about the former captain of the DFB selection.
The 34-year-old Gündoğan was recently only a second choice at Manchester City and shortly before the end of the transfer summer decided to switch to the metropolis on the Bosphorus-combined with great hopes from the traditional Turkish association. “He is a player who thinks a lot about this sport and is mentally incredibly incredibly strong.” And he is one of the most intelligent players I know, “Buruk praised the newcomer.
Eintracht Frankfurt: Champions League is new territory for most players
A big challenge is waiting for the Hesse, after all, after 2022/23 they are only there for the second time in the illustrious club of the best. Only four professionals today have the Eintracht jersey from the then squad: Mario Götze, Timothy Chandler, Aurélio Buta and Ansgar Knauff, who can be the only one in this quartet.
“Ansgar plays a major role in our planning. He is already very experienced and can grow beyond himself in such games and bring brutal performance to the square,” said Toppmöller and formulated the goal: “We want to make a special day out of it, preferably with a good result for us.” Routinier Götze is again not in the squad due to muscular problems. “Mario got on again this week. He took part in the units yesterday and today, but he won’t play a role for tomorrow,” said Toppmöller. “We hope that he can return to Union Berlin on Sunday.”
In addition to 2014 world champion Götze, Rasmus also lacks Kristensen, who with a muscle injury is indefinitely. For the Danish international, Brown is likely to move into the initial formation. The 22-year-old is supposed to disturb the circles of Sané. “I am sure that he will play a good game. We have to defend well in the collective in total,” said coach Toppmöller.