Frankfurt before endurance test: more fun against Freiburg

WITHGreetings from Aberdeen. The next day, Dino Toppmeller expressed his excitement for Freiburg. “Thanks to the sports club, we now have a team that wants to play football like us. It will be easier for us if another team takes part in the game.” said on Friday said.

The narrow 2-1 scoreline at the start of the new European Cup is history. The gift means core Bundesliga business: a home match before another sell-out this Sunday (5.30pm ticker FAZ live for the Bundesliga and on DAZN) against game-friendly SC Freiburg. But one thing remained from playing under the floodlights against the clumsy Scots: Eintracht failed to find convincing solutions against a defensively oriented team. “We have to create tension in the opponent’s box,” Toppmöller said the next day. “Then you can engage your audience even more.”

In the match against Aberdeen, Eintracht could be confident of the support of a grateful and thrifty public under the floodlights. Despite many shortcomings, especially in the first weak period of the game, there was no dissatisfaction. The fans were pleased that Eintracht managed to beat the second-worst team currently in the Scottish First Division. There were no long scoring chances in the game. I’m glad that goals are now generated from standard situations after a long preparation time.

Substitute Fares Chaibi broke the spell when, before Robin Koch’s winning goal, he did what is usually expected of professionals: played a dangerous, powerful and accurate corner. It cannot be ruled out that the Frenchman, who moved from Toulouse to Frankfurt this summer, will be able to demonstrate his skills again in the match against Freiburg.

Coach Toppmeller does not want to decide until this Saturday whether Mario Gotze, who was substituted at half-time against Aberdeen, will be fully fit again against Freiburg. As expected, captain Sebastian Rode will do nothing to help remain unbeaten in the fifth league match in a row against a “high quality team” (Toppmöller). “This is extremely bitter for both him and us. He was unlucky,” Toppmeller lamented Rohde’s endless history of suffering. However, the 42-year-old football teacher assured: “Sepple is a fighter. He doesn’t give up. He has the heart of a fighter.”

Freiburg instead of Aberdeen, playing culture instead of defensive football. The Frankfurt coach expects a “different, interesting game and open-mindedness” compared to their immediate neighbors in the table. On Friday, Toppmöller spoke with great respect for the Freiburg team, which also faced European challenges on Thursday evening and, like Eintracht, won at the start.

“You can only take your hat off to them,” he said. This is also true: year after year, sports club coach Christian Streich gets the best out of his team and brings them to Europe again and again and more often. “We have a big test ahead of us on Sunday,” Toppmeller said. “Freiburg are always a nasty and disciplined opponent.”

With the Eintracht coach firmly expecting to be able to literally play club football, Toppmeller hopes it will bring “more lightness” to his team’s game, “because we’ll have more fun.” In fact, the young coach can be pleased that in his first coaching position in the Bundesliga he has so far remained unbeaten in all official matches.

Where Marmush feels fun

No opponent has managed to defeat Eintracht Frankfurt eight matches in a row. But the truth is that large calibers are still not included. In the championship, Eintracht have so far had to deal with Darmstadt, Mainz, Cologne and Bochum, who are anything but league heavyweights. Looking back, Toppmeller noted “the fact that we felt unsatisfied after the games against Cologne, Bochum and now Aberdeen.” Now we want to approach it with joy.”

On Friday, Toppmeller discovered where Omar Marmush has the most fun while doing his playful work. The new player, who was the only striker against Aberdeen in the first half, “can play in different positions”, the Eintracht coach explained. “He’s a little better when he comes out wide. He has very good speed.”

The 24-year-old Egyptian was on the left flank in the second half – and things improved for Eintracht in attack as substitute Jessica Ngankam provided support. However, “we still have a lot of room for improvement,” said Markus Krösche. The Eintracht sporting director repeatedly publicly criticizes the team he has assembled, which can and should improve in many respects. The first difficult test awaits them in Freiburg.