London (dpa) – The class performance in the 2-1 semi-final first leg at West Ham United has Eintracht Frankfurt’s belief in entering the Europa League final and thus the greatest international success in the club’s history since winning the UEFA Cup strengthened again 42 years ago.
“It was endless passion, I’m incredibly proud,” said Eintracht President Peter Fischer after the coup in London and added with a view to the second leg next Thursday: “Anyone who wants to beat us in their own stadium has to come up with some ideas .”
“We want to go to Seville”: The dream of the final
The starting position: A draw in front of a home crowd is enough for the Hessians to book a ticket for the final of an international club competition for the third time after 1960 and 1980. “We want to travel further through Europe, we want to go to Seville,” emphasized Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner. The Europa League title will be awarded there on May 18th. At the same time, the 47-year-old Austrian warned: “West Ham will try everything to turn it around. It means going one step further in order to realize the dream of the final.”
The form: In London, Eintracht once again provided impressive proof that they are capable of very special performances in Europe. “It’s phenomenal how we perform in these games. When everyone gets 100 percent and everyone runs for everyone, we are capable of such performances. Everyone enjoys these international appearances,” said national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. Glasner was also full of praise: “I’m very proud of the team and very impressed by the self-confidence and courage of the players. We found very good solutions.”
Ndicka and Jakic back in the second leg
The staff: In the second leg, Eintracht can again rely on left-back Evan Ndicka and midfield clearer Kristijan Jakic, both of whom were suspended in London. The use of offensive player Jesper Lindström, who had to leave the field after just over an hour due to a thigh injury, is questionable. A MRT examination after returning home on Friday, it should provide information about the severity of the injury. Glasner announced that the Dane will definitely not be in the next Bundesliga game at Bayer Leverkusen next Monday.
Attack on ARD radio reporter at the game
According to an ARD report, the two ARD radio reporters were attacked shortly after West Ham equalized in the 21st minute. “We’re being attacked here,” said Philipp Hofmeister during the live broadcast. In the seconds prior, tumult had been audible. “I’ve never experienced anything like that,” said Tim Brockmeier after both had been hit and the headset had been ripped off his head: “We’re shocked.”
During the break, the two reporters from Hessischer Rundfunk changed places and continued to comment from there. “Mentally it was difficult afterwards,” said Hofmeister.
According to their descriptions, they received “several punches in the back of the head, in the neck, in the back”. That’s probably not “the fine English way,” wrote Brockmeier on Twitter.
He thanked the media staff of the Hessian Bundesliga club, but also the host Premier League club, “who really had to bring us to safety during the break”. His colleague Hofmeister also thanked all West Ham fans who “love football and respect their opponents” and also wrote on Twitter: “We’re fine.”
The English club condemned what happened. “We will work to find the perpetrators,” a West Ham club spokesman was quoted as saying by “Kicker” on Friday. “You will be banned indefinitely and not allowed to enter the London Stadium or travel with the club. There is no place for such behaviour.”