The footballers from Eintracht Frankfurt play against top team Wolfsburg and consolidate third place in the European Cup. Oracle trainer Niko Arnautis (still) bans celebrations.
Niko Arnautis already had a good feeling in the morning. “I woke up and said to my wife: I think there’s something in the air today,” the Eintracht coach with Greek roots revealed his oracle skills to hr-sport on Sunday. Because Arnautis was right. There was something in the air on this top game Sunday: the sweet smell of a statement victory for his team.
Shortly after halftime the game was decided
Eintracht not only beat VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 in the afternoonshe “dominated and deservedly drew” the game against the league runners-up, summarized Arnautis. “We had good solutions, scored three goals and didn’t allow much at the back: you have to do that first against Wolfsburg.”
Long before Nicole Anyomi made it 1-0 (27th minute), the hosts had several great chances to take the lead. “We could have scored two or three more goals in the first half,” said Ereleta Memeti, who made it 2-0 shortly before half-time (44′). At the latest with the third goal by Nadine Riesen (46th), the mass was said in front of 4,722 fans at the Brentanobad.
Confident in the final spurt of the season
“The energy was there today, everyone was up for it and of course we enjoyed the scenery,” said a completely satisfied Anyomi to hr-sport. And teammate Memeti was sure: “A win like this against Wolfsburg gives you self-confidence. It will be a good final spurt for us.”
The Hessians still have three games left to play this season. The declared goal for the season of qualifying for international business again is within reach. The SGE is four points behind Wolfsburg, who are second in the league, but also five points ahead of Leverkusen, who are fourth in the league. If Hoffenheim wins against Cologne on Monday evening, the Kraichgau team will be their closest rivals, four points behind.
“You have to stay humble”
The win against VfL was “an important step” towards Europe, said Arnautis, but he immediately put the brakes on the euphoria a little: “You have to stay humble. We still have to get one or two wins.”
His team has the next chance to do so next Monday (6 p.m.) against Nuremberg. We can only hope that Oracle Arnautis wakes up with a good feeling again.
