Sto chat? Makoto Hasebe didn’t need it on Wednesday despite the great heat. While some Eintracht players were looking for shelter from the stinging sun during the drinking break of the training game, the Japanese stood on the pitch and refreshed himself with water from the bottle. The chief of defense was one of the first to take up his post again in the back three. The Frankfurters toiled for two hours and 15 minutes in the morning under the guidance of their demanding trainer Oliver Glasner. Hard work: “It was exhausting,” Hasebe said afterwards.
However, he didn’t look particularly well done. At 38, the Bundesliga oldie is in top form and continues to be serious competition for his colleagues. For professionals, that’s “no problem at all,” he said of the heat stress. “It’s even warmer in Japan because of the humidity.” You just have to drink more during training, “three to four bottles today.” Beer or water, Hasebe was asked jokingly. “Half, half,” he replied and laughed.
Hasebe also had to smile when he reported that one or the other teammate like Daichi Kamada still had time to go to the sauna at the professional camp. “I don’t understand that,” was his witty comment.
Hasebe’s ambition will never flag
When the unit had a sprint duel with the nimble and 20-year-old Marcel Wenig, Hasebe reached the finish line after 30 meters. However, the former Japan national team captain started a little earlier than his rival. Hasebe’s ambition will never flag. In recent years he has dreamed of playing in the Champions League with Eintracht. After winning the Europa League, participation in the premier class is a reality. “I’m really happy.”
Hasebe, whose team-mate Randal Kolo Muani had to pull out of training shortly before the end after a foul by reserve goalkeeper Diant Ramaj with pelvic problems, wants to be there with his experience and game intelligence when he is needed. Just like in the previous season, when he always worked at the top level from the first second when needed, giving the team stability.
The crowning glory was his formidable performance in the final against Glasgow Rangers. After 58 minutes Hasebe replaced the injured Tuta in the middle of the back three without any problems. The captain, who received the armband from Sebastian Rode, would also have gone for penalties. However, Glasner said that either he or his compatriot Kamada could take action. “Daichi really wanted to,” reported Hasebe on Wednesday. That’s why he backed down in Seville. But: “I would have scored too,” he said and grinned again.
After the surprising end of Martin Hinteregger’s career, Tuta will probably be number one as defense chief. For the young Brazilian, he is both: “Helper and competitor,” says Hasebe. He also did Hinteregger better when the Austrian was in a form crisis last season. As? “By demonstrating it on the pitch and pulling it up,” says Hasebe.
He talks a lot with Tuta. One topic: the game structure. Hardly anyone can fool Hasebe in this discipline. His passes are clever and purposeful. However, Hasebe is reluctant to expose himself. Because: “Our strength is the team spirit, to make ourselves better as a team.” The new team has gained a lot in quality through the additions, he thinks. “We have two teams of the same kind.” The competition is correspondingly great. Hasebe has “a very good feeling”.
As a player, his contract ends on July 1, 2023. Will it be his last year of the game? “I’ve been saying that for five years. But maybe that will change this time too.” Alex Meier ended his career at the beginning of 2020. Now the former top scorer will have his farewell game on August 31 in the World Cup arena. Eintracht goalkeepers Kevin Trapp and Hinteregger will also be there.
