The pinching has subsided. Because the “small setback with an adductor injury” seems to be over, as Dino Toppmöller reported on Thursday, Hugo Ekitiké can most likely storm again. Provided the Eintracht coach relies on him. “I definitely assume that he will come back into the squad,” said the Frankfurt football teacher.
On-site appointment at the professional camp. For Toppmöller it was a welcome opportunity to verbally get in the mood for the “highlight game” that is coming up for Eintracht. The sixth in the table in third place, Eintracht at VfB Stuttgart: This Saturday (6.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky) it is the eternally young southwest classic in the Bundesliga. This time with clearly assigned roles, because the Swabians are the favorites. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s team has been unbeaten for ten league games. Even on points with Bayern.
VfB’s lead over Eintracht is immense. After 28 rounds of play, Stuttgart have collected 18 points more than Frankfurt. For some, this means that the deserved qualification for the Champions League is within reach. For the others, due to the weakness of their competitors, there is an opportunity to make the leap into the economically lucrative European Cup business again. “It’s good for us when the opponent is the favorite,” said Toppmöller, recalling his team’s surprising 1-0 away win at RB Leipzig. The Frankfurt coach said confidently: “We have good players with good weapons.”
“It’s enormously helpful”
Those responsible for Eintracht assumed that Hugo Ekitiké would be a quick and lasting reinforcement. Alone: To date, the 21-year-old Frenchman hasn’t really gotten going. Fitness reasons were primarily cited for this. They seem to be over – at least says Toppmöller, who should know best. After all, he takes part in all the training sessions on the pitch and is aware of the sensitivities of his professionals. “Hugo has made a lively, fit impression in every training session recently.”
Most recently, an adductor injury prevented the man of 20 million from being able to enjoy his playful work. But now the situation is completely different. “It is enormously helpful if he is available to us,” said the Eintracht coach. “It helps win games.”
Goal guarantee: Omar Marmoush is the most successful attacker at Eintracht. : Image: dpa
Whether Eintracht has a chance of winning the top game of the 29th Bundesliga matchday will be seen on Saturday evening in the Stuttgart Arena. The game under floodlights will appear in a special splendor because for VfB, after two years of construction and waiting, it is game one in the arena with the main stand finally rebuilt.
There is space for a total of 60,000 spectators in the Arena am Neckar, where VfB has been playing enthusiastically and furiously again and again this season. “Stuttgart has a really good team,” enthused Toppmöller about the Swabians’ performance so far. “My coaching colleague Sebastian Hoeneß always has a good idea about how he wants to play with and against the ball. They all just have it. It’s impressive what they do.”
Toppmöller was particularly impressed on Thursday when he talked about the opponent’s stormy qualities. The fact is: the Stuttgart attackers have scored 39 goals this season. Eintracht only has eleven goals scored by Frankfurt strikers. The lion’s share of this return goes to Omar Marmoush, who scored ten times. Nacho Ferri scored the other goal. Marmoush will of course be there on Saturday in Stuttgart. Without him, Eintracht will not work under any circumstances.
Marmoush has to and will play – but Ellyes Skhiri doesn’t. The Tunisian is out due to a “slight calf injury,” as Toppmöller confirmed. “We don’t want to take any risks with him and are therefore exercising caution.” Instead of Skhiri, Mario Götze will once again ensure the connection between defense and attack alongside Hugo Larsson, who is returning to the team.
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When a reporter asked Toppmöller whether Donny van de Beek could perhaps be an alternative again at some point, the 43-year-old football teacher replied: “He has to show himself in training. If he does that, he will play.” Given the situation, the Dutchman will only watch the highlight game in Stuttgart from a distance. Meanwhile, Ekitiké will strive to live up to the supposedly good training impressions in the decisive competition. It’s time for the Frenchman to show what he’s made of.
