Jonathan Burkardt’s months-long absence hurt Eintracht Frankfurt. The striker is about to make his comeback. How quickly can he help?
Frankfurt – When the Eintracht Frankfurt players entered the training ground at eleven o’clock on Wednesday morning, the sun also appeared in the previously gray sky. Spring temperatures had not yet set in, but the three to four degrees suddenly felt significantly warmer. And immediately she began the search for the hope and superstar.
Jonathan Burkardt was not that easy to identify. He was heavily bundled up and one of four professionals wearing a cap. The 25-year-old took part fully in the two-hour session and later also signed autographs for the waiting fans. It is a return that Eintracht longs for.
Burkardt’s loss was a shock for Eintracht
On November 26th last year it suddenly became very quiet in the Waldstadion. The Champions League evening against Atalanta Bergamo turned into a debacle. Burkardt was injured in a duel when the score was 0-0 and caused a shock. Bergamo took advantage of this moment and scored three times in five minutes.
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The Frankfurt team only managed two wins in these 14 games without their attacker, and the competition pulled away. Two points behind fourth place became eleven. Former coach Dino Toppmöller couldn’t compensate for Burkardt’s departure. The Darmstadt native was immediately convincing after moving from Mainz 05 to Eintracht. After 17 competitive games he had already scored eleven goals and one assist.
Burkardt had to pass again against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-0) as a cold set him back. For the trip to FC Bayern Munich, coach Albert Riera can rely on the goalscorer. The fifth captain of Hesse can participate again and use his strengths as an attacker and leader.
It remains to be seen how quickly Jonny Burkardt will actually regain his old strength. Months of breaks leave their mark. But his presence alone could give the offensive new impetus and spread the goals across several shoulders. The failures of Younes Ebnoutalib, Can Uzun and Ansgar Knauff are difficult to cope with, and Arnaud Kalimuendo is also in danger of missing the duel in Munich. Burkardt’s return is therefore even more important.
