Frankfurt’s newcomer follows in the big footsteps of Filip Kostic – but his versatility speaks for him. At Pellegrini’s introduction, he hints at his humor and is ready for the game against Cologne.
The greeting at this time is otherwise only known among students. At 2 p.m. Luca Pellegrini said “Good morning” to those around. Now the saying was more due to the rudimentary knowledge of German of the Frankfurt approach than to late risers. After all, the Italian proved that he doesn’t really let too much time go by unused. “It all happened very quickly. I got to know the sports director and the coach and then decided to come within a few days. There were also other requests,” said Pellegrini about his move to the Main.
Last week, Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic switched to Juventus Turin after a long transfer tug, and in return, Eintracht took Juve’s left winger on loan for a year. “I didn’t speak to Kostic because I was training individually at the time. But I know Jerome Onguene from our time together in Genoa,” said Pellegrini, who hinted at the joke on his neck at the presentation.
Severe injury
This is not a vacation year for him, he will quickly look for an apartment, he emphasized. And he plays where the coach puts him up – if necessary as a goalkeeper. He also looked at the premier class with a smile: “I don’t want to meet my old club Juventus in the Champions League. I have a lot of friends there, but it would be a strong opponent,” said the 23-year-old.
Apparently the many injuries in his career couldn’t spoil his positive mood. In 2017 he broke his kneecap and tore his cruciate ligament, most recently in 2020 and 2021 he was plagued by long-term problems with his thigh and adductors. “I was unlucky at that time, but last season I stayed injury-free and found my balance.” Juventus had already loaned him out twice, after Genoa and Cagliari, and now obviously saw him as dispensable for the time being.
Krösche praises flexibility
However, these circumstances could not cloud the anticipation at Eintracht. “Luca Pellegrini can fill in both defensive positions on the left wing. This makes us even more variable in the game structure and in the defensive network and generally increases our flexibility,” said board member Krösche on the Eintracht channels. Pellegrini’s flexibility could now be in demand immediately. After the departure of Filip Kostic and the poor defensive performance, Frankfurt could switch to a back four at the start.
What speaks for it: Trainer Glasner blocked the press from training on Wednesday for a short time in order to keep new processes secret. What speaks against it: Glasner did not allow the system with a back four to be practiced, at least in the publicly visible units in preparation. He recently praised “oldie” Makoto Hasebe, who would be available especially in a back three.
Pellegrini on the Cologne game: I’m ready!
New signing Pellegrini was used to a 3-5-2 with the ball and a 4-4-2 off the ball at Juve, so he could work in either system. He is required more defensively, but also has offensive qualities, said the Italian on Thursday. “We are working on my being there against Cologne. I would be ready.” He left the question of his strengths open. “I don’t want to reveal too much, I just want to surprise people.” And he said: pleasantly surprised.
