“A sensational performance,” he says. The confidence, unity, dynamism and resilience of the Werkself in the Stadio Olimpico give the Frankfurt football teacher no reason to be humble: “The boys are fresh, we have a good idea, and Eintracht has given Leverkusen life in their own stadium in the past always made it difficult: We want to be the first to beat Leverkusen.”
The opponents have tried to do this 47 times this season, but no one has succeeded yet. Toppmöller has to have a particularly good idea to achieve the goal. The 43-year-old from Moselle did not want to reveal to the media on Friday on the occasion of the home game late on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 5.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN): “Otherwise the opponent can adjust to it a little better .”
Healthy levels of self-confidence
But he said something about the basic requirements that Bayer places on his team: “The key will be maximum discipline when it comes to defense.” By this, Toppmöller does not mean that the team gathers in and around their own penalty area, which is what happens in What the industry calls “parking the team bus in the penalty area”.
“We have to clearly distribute and adhere to responsibilities in all zones,” says Toppmöller. For example? “Players who are overplayed by a long ball have to sprint back immediately, the midfield block has to close spaces immediately and direct the opponent into spaces where we want them.” So towards the kick-off circle or sideline.
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This requires maximum concentration and a healthy amount of self-confidence. Both of these have only been true in a few phases for the Eintracht professionals in the past few weeks. The latest trend is pointing a little upwards, but will that be enough to seriously put Bayer Leverkusen under pressure? The Frankfurt team cannot hope that the Werkself will approach the task in the Frankfurt city forest casually.
Because she is motivated to maintain the aura of invincibility. Even if coach Xabi Alonso rests his best players, Leverkusen’s individual quality can still be rated higher than that of Eintracht. And as a collective, Alonso’s team has always worked, regardless of the composition of the eleven on the field.
Eintracht, on the other hand, has often seemed inhibited in recent weeks. Toppmöller said the pressure of having to defend sixth place, which they have held for so long, would put a strain on some players. Now the situation has become easier this week. The recent successes of the German teams in the European Cup secured Germany’s second place in the UEFA five-year country rankings.
Which means a fifth starting place in the Champions League, sixth place will certainly be enough for the Europa League and seventh place for the Conference League. If Bayer Leverkusen, as German champions, wins the DFB Cup final against Kaiserslautern, seventh place would entitle them to take part in the Europa League and eighth place would qualify for the Conference League.
Free selection of personnel
Toppmöller was asked whether these new constellations took the pressure off his players and whether they seemed more relaxed? “We want sixth place either way, we’re just looking at ourselves and our performance.”
The Eintracht coach has a free choice when it comes to personnel. All of the starting eleven candidates are fit. No big changes to the Bayern game are expected. Skhiri and Götze fulfilled Toppmöller’s expectations in the defensive midfield, Larsson will probably have to sit on the bench again for the time being. Unless the Eintracht coach tries to seal the middle of the pitch with three central midfielders and push Leverkusen to the sidelines. “That is an option,” said Toppmöller on this topic.
The self-confidence among the Frankfurt professionals is not particularly strong.dpa
The Eintracht coach’s preparation for the confrontation with the new German champions is made more difficult by the fact that the opponent’s line-up is completely unknown. Alonso rotated a lot recently, and he always rested another of his star players.
If Wirtz, Xhaka and Frimpong actually play, Toppmöller would not declare any special countermeasures against them. “Man coverage or special guarding are not being considered; we have to restrict their scope collectively. If they have a free foot, they can hardly be defended,” said Toppmöller. He didn’t want to put Leverkusen’s abilities above those of Eintracht. “It’s no picnic defending against Ekitiké and Marmoush either.”
