Frankfurt / Main (dpa) – Full stadium, best cast and lots of anticipation: Eintracht Frankfurt feels ready for the big football festival against FC Barcelona.
“We’re all looking forward to a top opponent,” said Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner before the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Europa League this Thursday (9 p.m. / RTL).
The initial situation:
Barcelona is one of the most prestigious addresses in European club football and is the favourite. The Catalans have won the Champions League five times and won the Spanish championship 26 times. “Because of their national and international successes, there is a myth. A lot of football greats played there,” said Glasner, adding: “They’re on their way to the top again.”
However, Eintracht’s latest record is also impressive: Frankfurt has not yet lost a game in the current competition and has been unbeaten in seven competitive games. “We must not take the game lightly,” warned Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez.
The opponent:
Although Lionel Messi is no longer there, there are still enough top-class players in the squad for the second-placed team in the Spanish La Liga. It starts with the German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, continues with the defensive players Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets and ends in the offensive department with the two ex-Dortmunders Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembélé as well as Ferran Torres and child prodigy Pedri. Glasner’s verdict on the 19-year-old: “Pedri is certainly one of the greatest talents in Spanish football. He fits perfectly into Barcelona’s game system and always has the right solutions ready. This is a player who has the future – in Spain and Europe.”
The fans:
A goose bumps atmosphere should be guaranteed, because the arena is sold out with 48,500 spectators. “We assume that the fans have thought of something,” said captain Sebastian Rode. For Frankfurt’s CEO Axel Hellmann, the return to full capacity after the difficult Corona period is “a godsend”.