For Eintracht fans, the first and second leg against Barca will be the games of the year. The club has received 300,000 ticket requests for the home game, and tickets are being offered on the black market for 4,000 euros. However, those who do so must face the consequences. Many supporters definitely want to go to the Camp Nou for the second leg on April 14, Eintracht expects up to 25,000 fellow travelers for the game on Maundy Thursday – with 5,000 away fans allowed in the stadium.
In any case, the euphoria is huge. “It’s also important to keep a cool head,” warned Captain Sebastian Rode against being too cocky on the pitch. Nevertheless, like three years ago, Eintracht would like to qualify for the semi-finals of the second highest European club competition. Glasner does not want to focus on the run from back then, when Frankfurt defeated Benfica Lisbon and Inter Milan, among others. The Upper Austrian sees the Barcelona hurdle as high, but doable: “We’ve had an excellent season in the Europa League so far and are unbeaten. We hope it’s not over yet.”
Eintracht wants to act, not just react
With all the questions about the opponent’s radiance, Glasner said one thing: Eintracht doesn’t just want to play defensively. “We don’t just want to defend in the last 30 meters, we want to use the strengths we have,” emphasized the 47-year-old. But one thing is clear: “We will definitely have to walk a lot.” Stefan Ilsanker will not be involved. The second Austrian international near Frankfurt was not named for the Europa League in spring. Ilsanker’s contract with Hessen expires in the summer.
The Catalans, who have regained their strength under coach Xavi and after investments worth millions in the winter, want to shine at least on the second highest stage of the European Cup after the almost uncatchable deficit to Real in the domestic league. Barcelona never won the UEFA Cup, with a win in the successor competition the historic treble after winning titles in the Champions League (Champion Cup) and in the cup of cup winners, which is no longer played, would be perfect.
Against Frankfurt, Xavi again relies on a star player who was still considered persona non grata in Catalonia in winter. Ousmane Dembele receives applause again at the Camp Nou and has recently underlined his worth in attack. A contract extension with the French beyond the summer seems conceivable again.
Leipzig coach warns of overzealousness
In Leipzig, meanwhile, coach Domenico Tedesco warned his team against overzealousness against Atalanta. “We must not lose patience, not be too hungry. We showed against Sociedad that we are capable away from home, that we can steer the game in the right direction,” said the 36-year-old. RB had finally prevailed in the second round after a draw against Real Sociedad with a win in the Basque Country.
Leipzig initially welcomes Bergamo in front of an expected 35,000 fans, in the coming week the runners-up in the German Bundesliga will travel to Italy. Leipzig goalie Peter Gulacsi demands a clever and experienced game from his team. “We have to play the game in such a way that we can say afterwards that we’ve made a big step and are now the favourites,” said the 31-year-old.
Tedesco, who has to do without midfielder Tyler Adams, underlined Bergamo’s away strength. Atalanta is the third-best away team in Serie A, in the home table they are only in 13th place. However, the Italians are plagued by personnel worries in central defence. Captain Rafael Toloi and Berat Djimsiti are out. Merih Demiral boarded the plane to Leipzig on Wednesday. Whether the Turkish national player can be used is open.
