London (dpa) – The euphoria in the environment is huge, the confidence in the team is high: 42 years after triumphing in the UEFA Cup, Eintracht Frankfurt wants to fulfill their dream of a final in an international club competition for the third time in the club’s history .
“The vision of the title becomes tangible. It inspires the whole region,” said Frankfurt’s board spokesman Axel Hellmann before the first leg in the semi-finals of the Europa League at English Premier League club West Ham United this Thursday (9 p.m. / RTL).
Three years ago in London in the semi-finals, the Hessians narrowly lost to eventual winners Chelsea on penalties. This time, the English capital shouldn’t be the end of the line, but just a way station on the way to the final on May 18 in Seville. “Now there is no tiredness! Now there is joy, now there is enthusiasm, now it’s time for the finals,” said coach Oliver Glasner and demanded: “Now it’s time to get over the pain.”
Rode: “We want to go to Seville”
After the final training in Frankfurt, the Hessians landed in London on Wednesday evening in a good mood and well prepared. “All the players are fit. We see ourselves in good shape,” reported Glasner, adding: “It’s going to be a hot duel, it’ll definitely be very tough. But we’ll play to win.”
The sensational coup in the quarter-finals against FC Barcelona lifted Eintracht’s self-confidence to a new level. “Barcelona was an outstanding highlight, but our journey shouldn’t be over yet. We want to go to Seville,” affirmed captain Sebastian Rode. And midfielder Ansgar Knauff announced optimistically: “It’s going to be a different game because West Ham are a different team in terms of structure. But I’m firmly convinced that with our fans and the whole spirit here in the city and at the club can hit.”
In 1960, Eintracht was in the final of the European Cup, which they lost 7-3 to Real Madrid. In 1980, Frankfurt lifted the UEFA Cup in a German two-legged final against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Now the whole of Frankfurt is hoping for a new chapter in international success in the history of the club. “There is currently no chance of escaping this aura that hangs over the city,” reported Eintracht President Peter Fischer recently on ZDF’s “Aktuelle Sportstudio”.
Board member Hellmann also feels the euphoria every day. “Frankfurt is on fire, people are totally enthusiastic,” said the 50-year-old recently on “Bild” TV and added: “The intoxication has only just begun because now the imagination is great that you can also make the semi-finals .”
Ndicka and Jakic suspended
The team wants to take this momentum into the two duels with the seventh-placed team in the Premier League – even if the Bundesliga soccer club in London’s Olympic Stadium cannot – like in Barcelona – rely on the support of tens of thousands of fans. “I am firmly convinced that there will be no crowds there. It will not be like in Barcelona,” predicted Fischer in view of the strict ticket allocation in England.
Eintracht also has to make cuts in terms of personnel, because left-back Evan Ndicka and midfield clearer Kristijan Jakic are suspended. That should not stop Eintracht, who are still unbeaten in the current competition, especially since Djibril Sow is available again after an injury break. “We know we can achieve something really big this year,” said the Swiss international. Hellmann set the direction for everyone: “We still have a score to settle with London – and I want us to make it this time.”
Expected Lineups
West Ham United: Areola – Johnson, Dawson, Rice, Cresswell – Soucek, Noble – Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals – Antonio
Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp – Tuta, Hasebe, Hinteregger – Rode, Sow – Knauff, Kostic – Lindstrom, Kamada – Borré
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)