FFootball is an emotional business anyway. But as many feelings as before the Bundesliga match this Sunday with FC Schalke 04 rarely play at Frankfurter Eintracht. There is of course the return of the prodigal son Luka Jovic, who after many trials and tribulations in Madrid has returned to the city beaming with joy, which has become his second home. The 23-year-old Serb is looking forward to his first appearance, and coach Adi Hütter announced on Friday that Jovic would be part of the squad against the Royal Blues.
The argument with Schalke is also David Abraham’s farewell game. The Argentine team captain is returning to his first home after five and a half years. His last hours in Frankfurt are surrounded by more than just a touch of sadness. And there is midfielder Djibril Sow, who became a father (to a daughter) for the first time in the morning hours of Friday.
So many different sensations – they can lead to intoxication or to a rude awakening because in the exuberance of feelings it was not possible to concentrate on the essentials. “We are favorites in terms of the table constellation,” admits coach Adi Hütter. But that doesn’t mean much in the Bundesliga, “every game is extremely dangerous”. A sober addition – and yet, even the thoughtful Austrian seemed a bit cranked 50 hours before the game against the penultimate in the table. Which is mainly related to Jovic. The return of the goal scorer triggered an expectant crackle. “It’s a clear signal,” says Hütter. A signal that the association wants to go to Europe.
The memories of the Europa League campaign 2018/19 are still fresh, which only ended in the semi-finals against Chelsea and in the course of which Jovic scored ten goals. The center forward trained with his colleagues for the first time on Friday morning. “It was very nice to see how comfortable he feels,” said Hütter. Even in the preliminary talks, the coach was impressed by how “he sprayed with verve, how much he wanted to come to harmony. He wants to show all of us what he can do. “
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He could hardly do it at Real Madrid and when given the opportunity, he failed to convince his new employer and colleagues of his abilities. Only two hits in 32 games – almost all of them short appearances – are insufficient results for a striker. Hütter defended him: “Young players have a hard time in Madrid. If you can’t do it quickly, you will find it difficult to gain a foothold because of the training rhythm. The others play every three days, and the substitutes watch and cannot really offer themselves during training either because the players’ stress is controlled differently. “
Hütter was asked on Friday whether Jovic had learned something at Real that he did not yet know from him. His answer: “It’s too early to judge after a training session. But I saw that he hadn’t forgotten anything he could do. ”With the caveat that the Serb had a lack of match practice in the first lesson. “In some situations in front of the goal he didn’t move as he did when he was in top shape.” But, said the Austrian: “I’ll help him get back to where he was as quickly as possible.” The anticipation sounded through his words.
Does he see Jovic as a substitute for Silva or as a partner of the Portuguese? “I’m not going to commit to that, we already have a lot of options on the offensive, with him we become even more flexible.” Jovic’s style of play goes very well with the new combined football of Eintracht. “He can do something with possession football.” Hütter can already feel a boost from Jovic in the team: “Especially with Filip Kostic, with whom he is very close.”
Jovic may be a very important person in the near future, against Schalke he will only work for a few minutes to build form or act as a joker in an emergency. In the present, Amin Younes is vital to unity. The offensive midfielder excelled in the last few games and was the best player on the pitch for half an hour in the cup game last Tuesday in Leverkusen. Then he had to pass because of a kick in the Achilles tendon. That is why Hütter introduced the bulletin on Younes with the words: “Good news.” The national player on loan from Naples got through training on Friday morning. Nothing should stand in the way of his use against Schalke. At the moment, this message seems more meaningful for Eintracht than Jovic’s form report.
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