Eintracht Frankfurt gets a foretaste of possible royal class trips at Tottenham Hotspur. Trainer Dino Toppmöller stacks deeply, but the greed on the semi -finals is noticeable. There are question marks.
The new stadium of Tottenham Hotspur is an impressive appearance. As is so often the case in England in the area of the billion dollar temple, nothing indicates football. Circumed by numerous pubs, barbershops and fast food shops, the arena, called “New White Hart Lane”, suddenly appears. Just strolled through a normal quarter in London and kept the red double-decker buses for the most impressive sights, it is already there: the really big football stage.
For Eintracht Frankfurt, the stadium is after the duel with the Spurs In the group phase of the royal class season 2022/23, no more new territory, but the mix from cosmopolitan city leaves outside and premier League top club inside. “That feels like this after the highest competition, which has Champions League character,” said coach Dino Toppmöller at the press conference before the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday (from 9 p.m. In the HR-Info audio stream). “You can feel the tingling.”
Many players stand Career highlight
The Eintracht, which, as always when traveling through Europe on Wednesday evening, presented itself in the fine thread, faces a date with its own future in northern London. Despite the continuing crisis in the league with a historically bad 14th place in the table, the Spurs still exude the glamor of European high aladles and, above all, are financially in spheres, of which Eintracht can only dream of. The sporting strength of strength is therefore an incentive and a challenge. “For many players, it is the biggest game of their career,” said Toppmöller.
But how does Eintracht approach such a big game? Important first of all: keep calm. Trainer Toppmöller gave everything in the luxurious catacombs on Wednesday to excuse the hosts. However, the fact that even an English journalist was slightly puzzled and Toppmöller then reminded of the quality of his own team shows that the chance of a new semi-finals is quite great. Tottenham Hotspur is a prominent name, but the Hesse does not have to be afraid. “This is a very good opponent, we need brutal performance. Then everything is possible,” summarized Ellyes Skhiri.
Eintracht needs that Europa League face
It will also be crucial that the harmony Breathing of Bremen shakes out of the clothes. With a performance like in the second leg against Ajax Amsterdam, in Bochum or against VfB Stuttgart, everything is in this quarter -finals. Tottenham still has the potential to make everything clear in the first leg. “Tottenham has a deluxe squad,” said Toppmöller. But also one with deluxe problems.
What we would be at the next tricky and possibly decisive point: The defensive is the Achilles heel of the Spurs trained by Coach Ortoclou and definitely vulnerable. 45 goals in 31 games are clearly too much, especially at speed campaigns Tottenham regularly gets problems. Means: Eintracht must try to take advantage of these existing gaps. However, this task is significantly more difficult by the fact that the storm of the Spurs is still the most dangerous in England. Courage is important, but the smallest mistakes are punished directly. It is the dilemma of football at the highest level.
As usual, he did not let himself be elicited from how exactly coach Toppmöller wants to do this task. However, he left no doubt that his team was perfectly prepared and extremely motivated. “The players are handy. We all know what to expect.” Eintracht is ready.
Knauff fails, Trapp to support
However, there is dampers purely in terms of personnel. The continued injured goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who had previously been removed from the squad, traveled to England. However, the ex-national goalkeeper will not be more than moral support for his nominal representative Kaua Santos. Elye Wahi is in the squad, but his fitness is far from enough for the starting eleven. The hopes of an Ansgar Knauff comeback have also completely smashed, the right wing fails. Who is playing on the outer lane for him? That is still open.
However, since Toppmöller showed through after the failed appearance at Werder Bremen that Mario Götze was best lifted in the ten position, the veteran should be back into the central back and clear the place to the right. The first option would then be Namdi Collins, Rasmus Kristensen will return to the chain for him anyway.
This is how Eintracht could play in Tottenham.
Eintracht hot on the semi -finals
Either way, Eintracht should try to enjoy and play the game in the north of London. Tottenham has to win to save the season. Eintracht can further upgrade a playing time that has already been successful. “The tension must not become a cramp,” so warned Toppmöller.
The Eintracht, that was clearly felt on Wednesday, does not have enough of her favorite competition. If everything goes according to plan, she could still play one floor higher in the Champions League next year. The Hesse will get a foretaste of how it is there in Tottenham on Thursday evening.
