Off to Heidenheim. Eintracht can get a taste of mountain air this Saturday (3:30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky) – but only meteorologically. The arena of the strong newcomer is at 555 meters. No stadium in German professional football is higher. The fact that Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller’s team wants to take the 1. FC Heidenheim venue by storm may perhaps be the plan. What is more likely, however, is that this game will also be close.
Last week, Eintracht struggled to a 2-2 draw at home against VfL Wolfsburg. The fact that the men from Ostalb are only six points behind Eintracht, who are listed in sixth place, is a strong achievement. Coach Frank Schmidt, 1. FC’s Mister Heidenheim, is also doing first-class work in the first year of the Bundesliga.
To the extent that the bold newcomer surprises and convinces, what Eintracht currently has to offer in terms of sport is disappointing. Toppmöller believes it is possible that the turnaround that has been hoped for for weeks is coming now. “Each of us is longing for a victory,” said the Frankfurt football teacher before the challenging task on Heidenheim’s Schlossberg. “Everyone of the boys wants it,” Toppmöller is sure. “I feel that.”
Professional with attitude
As he has often done in the past, the Frankfurt coach is now talking about “structure”. It should be good, “because we want to get through our game, be good at counter-pressing and get transition moments.” The perfect package that Eintracht has only rarely put together recently. “We want to create more scoring chances and take the three points – that’s the idea.”
No matter what the idea may be: Toppmöller’s team needs leaders – more than ever after Sebastian Rode’s further loss. The fact that the captain and champion may only get one last short appearance in the last league game against Leipzig in mid-May due to injury is bitter for the team and the players. During his time in Frankfurt, Rode was the professional who led the way with commitment, attitude and example. His absence hurts. Robin Koch missed training on Thursday due to a cold.
But Toppmöller is optimistic that his defender will be fit again for the tough away game this Saturday. “We are positive that he can play.” However, there is a bigger question mark behind Ellyes Skhiri.
The Tunisian has recently been unable to show what he is actually capable of due to a back problem. Toppmöller does not want to be unsettled by such mixed situations. “I basically have a very good feeling,” said the 43-year-old soccer teacher. The final impressions of the show of strength against Wolfsburg in particular stuck with us. “You could see that the team always showed a reaction and good mental stability.”
Airy Heidenheimer Höhe
Two thirds of the season are history. Toppmöller believes it is correct that Eintracht has been sixth in the table for weeks and has not yet been caught up by the equally weak competition. “We are rightly in sixth place. We are all hungry to win and want to approach it with positive energy. We think in positive scenarios. It’s important to give our answer on the pitch.”
It can be an advantage for Eintracht in the lofty heights of Heidenheim that 1. FC has to do without Lennard Maloney for the first time this season. The American international, who has always been a member of the starting eleven, is out due to an medial knee ligament injury. It was the news that coach Schmidt announced on Friday and he didn’t like it at all.
Heidenheim against Frankfurt: There have only been two competitive games between these two clubs. Those responsible for Eintracht have more or less fond memories of both. In the round of 16 cup game at the end of 2017 there was a narrow 2-1 win after extra time on the Ostalb.
In the first half of the current Bundesliga series, Toppmöller’s team won 2-0 almost five months ago. One of the previous goalscorers will not be there this time: Hugo Larsson is already training individually again, but is not yet a man for the starting eleven.
Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 4 Peter Heß, Frankfurt Published/Updated: Ralf Weitbrecht Published/Updated: Recommendations: 1
The other Frankfurter who scored is eager to play from the start again: Ansgar Knauff. The last time he played big was in the goal spectacle in Freiburg and scored twice in the 3-3 draw. But Knauff is still unable to show consistently good performance over a longer period of time. Maybe the Heidenheim mountain air will help him.
