Royal class lesson
© Imago
Dino Toppmöller did not even complain about the painful royal class lesson for Eintracht Frankfurt at Atlético Madrid. “We knew that in the Champions League teams that play for the title, perhaps one number is still too big for us in the current situation. We met an opponent who was clearly better,” the Eintracht coach opened openly after the sobering 1: 5 (0: 3) at the Top Association.
For the 44-year-old football teacher, the damper was not necessarily surprising-even if he would have liked to avoid it. “We have reached the limits. That happens in life, that happens in football,” said Toppmöller and made the highest recognition to the rival: “It was absolutely impressive what Atlético did. If you see the intensity in the duels and also the football quality, we can only learn and absorb these things.”
After the 5: 1 gala at the start of the league against Galatasaray Istanbul, the Hesse quickly arrived on the ground of the facts. “We played against a top team in Europe today and just have to say that they were one size too big for us,” said Frankfurt sports director Markus Krösche. Toppmöller nevertheless also took positive knowledge from the one -sided game in the Estadio Metropolitano. “I believe that it was an extremely important experience for the boys,” he said, adding confidently: “Borders are always only temporary. We will be able to take a lot from this game.”
The bitter is particularly necessary for defensive behavior, because on Saturday the Bundesliga hit against record champions Bayern Munich is already in front of a home backdrop. In defense, you have to be “better and sharper,” said Toppmöller. After four goals against Union Berlin and Mönchengladbach, there were now five in Madrid – an alarm signal and clear evidence of the defensive weakness of the young team. “In the end it is clear that this is discussed. We are not blind,” said Toppmöller and appealed to his protégés: “We have to do it better in the next few weeks and give the answer on the pitch.”