Frankfurt (AP) – Eintracht Frankfurt puts the Bundesliga mandatory program on the gentle cycle, RB Leipzig wants to continue to perform at full speed.
Before the decisive duels in the semi-finals of the Europa League next Thursday, the starting position for the international hopefuls of German club football could hardly be more different. While the Hessians in the game at Bayer Leverkusen on Monday (8.30 p.m. / DAZN) can save their strength for the cracker against West Ham United three days later, the Saxons must before the difficult transition to the Glasgow Rangers according to coach Domenico Tedesco in the Guest appearance at Borussia Mönchengladbach “go all out”.
RB wants to go to the Champions League
Unlike Eintracht, there will be no load control with regard to the fight for a place in the Europa League final. “It’s not an unimportant game and we would do well not to think about Glasgow. Of course we have that in the back of our minds, but the drawer is closed for now,” emphasized Tedesco.
In fact, for RB on Monday evening (8:30 p.m. / DAZN) in Gladbach, it is about the primary goal of the season – that is still qualifying for the Champions League. Due to the previous games of the 32nd matchday, Leipzig have slipped to fifth place behind SC Freiburg. The runner-up is one point behind both Breisgau and Leverkusen, who are one place higher. Only the top four get the big money pots.
Tedesco does not hope for Frankfurter Schützenhilfe in Leverkusen. “It’s all legitimate,” said the 36-year-old. “Frankfurt makes the decisions they have to make.” Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner sees it the same way. “It’s my job to see what’s best for Eintracht Frankfurt,” emphasized the 47-year-old Austrian.
Europa League has top priority for Frankfurt
For the Hessians, the league is no longer about anything, but the Europa League is the first European title in 42 years. No wonder that in the Main metropolis after the 2-1 win at West Ham United everything revolves around the second duel with the English Premier League club in front of their home crowd. “You don’t have to beat around the bush: Thursday’s game has top priority. The line-up will be geared to West Ham’s load management,” announced Glasner before the game in Leverkusen. The suspended striker Rafael Borré, the sick defender Martin Hinteregger, the injured attacking player Jesper Lindström and midfielder Sebastian Rode will definitely be absent due to stress.
The constellation brings back memories of 2019. Back then, Eintracht had to go to Leverkusen between the Europa League semi-finals against Chelsea – and went down there 1: 6. This should not be repeated under any circumstances. “We take the task seriously and want to approach it seriously,” promised Glasner. “I expect everyone to do their best.”
The expected lineups:
Bayer Leverkusen – Eintracht Frankfurt
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky – Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba, Bakker – Aranguiz, Palacios – Diaby, Azmoun, Paulinho – Schick
Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp – Tuta, Hasebe, Ndicka – Jakic, Sow – Knauff, Kostic – Hauge, Kamada – Ache
Borussia Monchengladbach – RB Leipzig
Borussia Mönchengladbach: Summer – Friedrich, Elvedi, Beyer – Lainer, Neuhaus, Koné, Bensebaini – Hofmann, Stindl – Embolo
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi – Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol – Mukiele, Kampl, Adams, Angelino – Forsberg – Nkunku, Silva