You can’t help but be amazed at Eintracht. First the happy marriage to Götze, then the sad divorce from Hinteregger.
Let’s take Hinti: everyone knows how much he loves unity. And the year before last he was still a top defender in the Bundesliga. Last season wasn’t his best. Two or three things happened too much. BUT: the whole Eintracht managed to pull out its strength again at the right moment. For example in the semifinals at West Ham, where Hinti made a heroic game! His share of the European triumph is great.
With his farewell interview, he will remain in the hearts of fans forever. But you also saw in his face how relieved he is now. From the looks of it, Hinti has lived his football life to the fullest but also his regular life to the fullest. And then it’s time to stop. Even at 29. Because in professional football you experience 95 percent darkness: training, injuries, problems, defeats. Only 5 percent is joy and happiness.
If there is ever a happy divorce, then Eintracht and Hinti.
Now for Mario Götze’s yes word: I think it’s courageous that he made the decision to go back to the Bundesliga; and she shows his good attitude. At his age he would have been more comfortable at Benfica or in Florida. But he wants to prove himself again. Great praise also for Eintracht, which is currently developing from a good Bundesliga club into a Champions League club. With Götze you show that you want to take the next level!
That doesn’t mean that Mario will be the best in every game – he certainly won’t be. But the club’s risk analysis was 100% in favor of bringing him. And then you struck. Mario is a great guy. And he gained the necessary self-confidence in the slightly weaker Dutch league for two years. He fits exactly into the concept because Eintracht doesn’t have such a type. And he himself will have analyzed where he can best play to his strengths.
I saw twice in the stadium how difficult Eintracht had against defending opponents like Bielefeld; that was kind of unimaginative. Now comes Götze, who always wants the ball. Even if he’s lost it twice before.
A word about coach Oliver Glasner and CEO Markus Krösche, who have only been here for a year. But we learned that players are brought in here as a consequence of how Eintracht wants to play. And the fans should not believe that this is the case in every club. No, often a player is fetched first and then the puzzle is constructed. Here it is the other way around.
Krösche is one of the modern football managers who collect an incredible amount of data about each player. That’s why he gets so many players who pass. Even if, like Jesper Lindstrøm, it sometimes takes half a year.
So it’s not surprising that the name Ola Solbakken suddenly pops up as a possible successor to Filip Kostic. Could Ola replace Kostic? No, I do not think so! At least not right away, but he’s good at one-on-ones and at 23 he still has a lot to learn.
Without Kostic, Eintracht would of course play differently. For example, because there is now a second striker in Lucas Alario. He suits Borré as a type – and Borré suits him. If only because Borré, with his willingness to run and energy, is simply contagious for all teammates. Glasner now has to build a new attack with Götze.
Starting against top teams like Bayern and Real can help. The transfer window is still a long way off, and you’ll see right away if you need to step up your game.
A lot can still happen: is Kostic going? Are Ndicka and Kamada staying? One could worry that Eintracht is about to change again. And that with the challenge in the Champions League… But since Glasner and Krösche have been with Eintracht, I’ve joined a kind of sect. I just believe in everything they do after last season!
