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Eintracht Frankfurt does not want to underestimate third division club Viktoria Cologne. Coach Dino Toppmöller expects a little cauldron.
Cologne – FC Viktoria Cologne from 1904 is no stranger to Dino Toppmöller. Of course, the club from the Rhineland is examined by the Eintracht analysts like any other opponent – regardless of whether they come from Helsinki or Dortmund or are based in the Merheimer Heide in the Höhenberg district and usually compete in the third German division. But the Frankfurt head coach also has personal points of contact with Viktoria.
Date of founding: August 8th March 1899Trainer:Dino ToppmöllerPresident:Peter Fischer
Dino Toppmöller has points of contact with Viktoria Köln
Just over a year ago, when he was still assistant to Julian Nagelsmann, he traveled to Cologne with Bayern for the first round of the DFB Cup. At that time, however, Viktoria was not playing in its actual home stadium, but had moved to the FC’s large stadium in Müngersdorf; 50,000 people came to see the subscription master stumble – in vain. The Munich team made short work of their lower-class opponents, zig-zack, 5-0. And goodbye.
This time, when Toppmöller presents with Eintracht for the second round of the cup in Cologne, it is different. Viktoria has decided to make full use of its home advantage and will try to give Eintracht a hot dance in the Höhenberg sports park with around 8,000 fans. “I expect a little cauldron,” says Toppmöller, who is counting on the support of his own followers and is hoping for what “feels like a home game”.
Have loved each other again for a long time: coach Dino Toppmöller (back) and defender Philipp Max. © dpa
DFB Cup at Viktoria Cologne: Eintracht Frankfurt the favorite with respect
The role of favorite in this cup duel on Wednesday (8.45 p.m. / Sky) is clearly given to Eintracht. It may not be a duel between David and Goliath, but it is still a game that the club two classes higher should win. Under normal circumstances and when the cup’s own oft-quoted laws do not apply – unlike in the first round, when Viktoria bowled out first division club Werder Bremen. “You deserve our maximum respect,” says Toppmöller, who dutifully warns against the rebellious opponent, sixth in the third league. His team must approach the task with “100 percent willingness and full focus.” “We have to be wide awake.”
The coach is still somewhat annoyed by Sunday’s game against Borussia Dortmund because he doesn’t like the result, 3:3, at all. “We have to carry the anger with us that we didn’t win, because that would have been absolutely possible,” he says. “And we have to transform this anger into positive energy.”
Dino Toppmöller sets a good example at SGE
Toppmöller does not specifically emphasize the importance of the cup; he leaves no doubt that the competition is not far behind the Bundesliga in the priority list. “It’s an absolute final, there are no second chances,” says the 42-year-old.
Toppmöller will once again explain to his ensemble the importance of the trophy; he takes himself to task and wants to set a shining example. “It plays a crucial role how you act as a coach in front of the group, how you prepare the boys, whether you yourself demonstrate this respect and whether it is authentic or not.” There should be no lack of motivation: “It is a do- or-die game. These are the moments you love as an athlete.”
Eintracht Frankfurt: Mario Götze in the starting line-up in Cologne?
It is therefore to be expected that he will rotate a little given the high load on his team, but probably not on a large scale. “There is the idea of giving someone playing time, but it has to make sense,” says the coach and makes it clear: “We will not hand out sweets, but rather send a team onto the field that accepts the game 100 percent and wins it. “
It wouldn’t be surprising if Mario Götze were to join the team. The veteran needs games to find rhythm and form. With his playing strength, he could be a decisive factor against the third division team. Maybe defender Tuta will get a breather, maybe old master Makoto Hasebe can play. And Niels Nkounkou could also start instead of Philipp Max in order to stay in the flow of the game. For performance reasons, Max wouldn’t have to give up his place. After a bumpy start to the season and a lesson from the coach (banishment from the Conference League squad), the 30-year-old has recovered and is clearly on the upward trajectory.
Eintracht Frankfurt: Philipp Max and Paxten Aaronson left out
After the coach’s tough decision, as Max himself says, he had two options: “Couldn’t understand the whole thing and bury his head in the sand.” Or just show a reaction, fight his way out of the valley and “find the basics again for what defines me as a footballer.” To do this, he had many conversations with confidants who showed him the right path. He’s not quite back to his old self yet, “but the basic direction is right,” he says. “That makes me a little proud.”
The young American Paxten Aaronson, who was left out of the squad against Dortmund, also didn’t have an easy time of it. “But that was a decision for the others and not against Paxten,” explains Toppmöller, who has not yet written off the 20-year-old and has not yet decided on a possible loan in the winter to gain match practice. “We haven’t talked about personnel planning yet,” says the coach. “In principle, I would like to see the players longer and wait for developments.”
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2023-11-01 03:45:00
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