Frankfurt / Main (dpa) – Oliver Glasner juggled a ball in the final training session, later the Austrian was even joking.
The Eintracht Frankfurt coach showed no sign of pressure or even fear before the “game of the century” against FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. “It will definitely be a wonderful evening of football. We see ourselves well prepared and are looking forward to this game,” said Glasner.
For the 47-year-old Austrian, the first leg this Thursday (9 p.m. / RTL), which has long been sold out, is the “most important international game of my career”. Eintracht President Peter Fischer attached even more importance to the duels with the Catalans for the Hessian Bundesliga club: “These are the biggest games since the 1960 final against Real Madrid.”
High black market prices
Since the draw, fans across the region have been in a state of emergency. Tickets for 600 to 1200 euros were offered on the black market. “I still have two tickets with me because nobody asked me for tickets,” joked Glasner. But players and coaches also feel the special and are electrified. “We enjoy it. The club, the fans and the city deserve it,” emphasized Glasner.
Captain Sebastian Rode, who has played in the Champions League with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, admitted: “It will be an absolute highlight. The euphoria is huge.” It is therefore important to keep a cool head. “It mustn’t get wild on the pitch,” warned Glasner.
Although the 26-time Spanish champion and five-time Champions League winner is the favourite, the Frankfurters don’t want to surrender without a fight. “We’ve been very busy with Barcelona, but we don’t want to subordinate ourselves and only align ourselves with them,” said Glasner, adding: “We’ve been playing an excellent Europa League season so far, which shouldn’t be over yet.”
Unbeaten in seven competitive games
After all, Eintracht has not yet lost a game in the current competition and has been unbeaten in seven competitive games. These streaks should last in order to preserve any chances for the second leg at the Camp Nou a week later. “We don’t just want to defend 90 minutes, we want to use our strengths,” said Glasner.
Although Barça has regained its former strength since coach Xavi Hernandez took office last November and has since climbed from ninth to second in the Spanish La Liga, the star ensemble has a lot of respect for the Hessians. “Basically, we know that they are physically stronger than us, that’s just the way it is. I think they’re one of the physically strongest teams in the Bundesliga,” said national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen about Frankfurt.
The guests have to do without the Dutch national player Memphis Depay, who is out due to a thigh strain, and defender Sergiño Dest. The offensive department with ex-Dortmunders Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembélé as well as Ferran Torres and child prodigy Pedri still has enough class. Glasner therefore sways: “I think we have to run a lot because Barcelona are very sure of the ball.” The goal is still clear: “We are very hungry for success and go into every game to win it.”
The possible lineups:
Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp – Ndicka, Hinteregger, Tuta – Jakic, Sow – Knauff, Kostic – Lindstrom, Kamada – Borré
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen – Araújo, Piqué, Eric García, Jordi Alba – De Jong, Busquets, Pedri – Traore, Aubameyang, Ferran Torres
Referee: Srdjan Jovanovic (Serbia)