Without Martin Hinteregger but with Goncalo Paciencia, Eintracht Frankfurt can clinch first place and direct qualification for the last 16 in the Europa League early on Thursday. SGE coach Oliver Glasner is looking forward to the game with great anticipation, but also raises a warning finger.
There was not enough time for Hinteregger. The Austrian, who had already missed the 2-0 win at SC Freiburg due to a knock on his foot, will also be unavailable for Eintracht Frankfurt’s home match against Royal Antwerp on Thursday evening. The centre-back was only able to complete an individual session on Wednesday. “We hope that it will be enough for him until Sunday against Union Berlin,” Glasner said at Wednesday’s press conference on the upcoming Bundesliga match.
Ilsanker probably first alternative as Hinteregger replacement
Glasner has two alternatives for the central defensive position in Makoto Hasebe and Stefan Ilsanker. There is a lot to be said for Stefan Ilsanker playing in the defensive centre. Glasner expects the Belgian striker Michael Frey (1.89 metres tall; 86 kilograms body weight) to start – unlike in the first leg (1:0). Ilsanker, at 1.89 metres and 85 kilograms, has almost identical stats and should be able to offer more resistance than Hasebe with “his physique and his heading strength”. “He has physical disadvantages there,” says Glasner, ” and they won’t change, because he won’t grow any more. “
Paciencia from the start? – Glasner: “I won’t reveal our attacking line-up today “
In contrast, Paciencia is available again after his muscle injury and expands Glasner’s options in attack: “I’m happy that Goncalo is back “, says Glasner. Whether the Portuguese will be in the starting eleven right away, Glasner left open: “I won’t reveal our offensive line-up today.” After all, the trio of Jesper Lindström, Rafael Santos Borré and Daichi Kamada “have done really well in the last few games”, the Austrian praised. However, there could still be changes in personnel for stress management reasons.
Speaking of doing well: Eintracht has put its starting difficulties behind it and recently recorded three victories in a row. “Mood-wise, the situation is very good with us,” Glasner emphasises. The self-confidence and ease have returned thanks to the successes, and his team should take the “joy of playing” shown in Freiburg with them: “I’m looking forward to celebrating a European Cup night with our fans again,” said Glasner: “We want to close the bag in front of our own crowd and spend the winter in first place.”
Glasner calls for “concentration and consistency “
However, he warned against taking Royal Antwerp lightly, despite only one point so far. “I expect a very, very good team that has stabilised itself, “ said Glasner, who recalled that their opponents are second in the Belgian league. “I warn against thinking that everything will go by itself.” Rather, he called on his team to act with the “same concentration and consistency” as in the recent games.
