Almost ten years ago, Jens Grahl played his first Bundesliga game, back then in the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim jersey. To date, the Stuttgart native has only added 13 more games. Grahl is still very popular at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Last weekend it happened again: Jens Grahl was called into Eintracht Frankfurt’s starting line-up at short notice after regular goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was out at short notice with back problems.
It was the 35-year-old’s first Bundesliga game in a year and a half. Grahl now explained his special relationship to the clear and undisputed number one in the team, national player Kevin Trapp, to “Sky”.
“I accept my role as I get it. At the beginning my role here was the third goalkeeper. I accepted that and supported everyone here. The first goalkeeper, Kevin, is my teammate, my buddy. I want him there praise and push to the highest heights. That is extremely important to me!”
Since his move from VfB Stuttgart to the Adlerträger in the summer of 2021, Grahl has only played two competitive games. Previously, in five years at VfB, he had not once played in goal in a competitive game.
Grahl is about to make his Conference League debut
In Frankfurt, the team and those in charge still highly value the goalkeeper’s qualities; Grahl has a current contract with Eintracht until 2026.
“In the end, it’s the team that counts. I’m very small, the team is huge. I’m happy to put myself back for the team,” said the goalkeeper about his own understanding of teamwork.
Next Thursday in the Conference League home game against HJK, Grahl will play again and make his first appearance on the European stage for the SGE. Kevin Trapp was shown a red card in stoppage time in the second group game at PAOK Saloniki (1:2) and is suspended on Thursday.