Martin Hinteregger seems to have overcome his long-lasting slump in form. In the 4:1 win in Berlin, the defender showed his strongest performance of the season, thus also confirming his coach Oliver Glasner.
Just in time for the Europa League round of 16 at Betis Sevilla, Hinteregger is approaching his best form. Against Hertha, he won 67 per cent of his duels and got 80 per cent of his passes to the man, which are significantly better values than in recent weeks. “Hinti” won many headers and, apart from a few ricochets, exuded the sovereignty that has often been missing this season. Especially compared to the very weak performances on matchday 20 against Bielefeld (0:2) and on matchday 22 against Wolfsburg (0:2), the Austrian showed a clear improvement: more stable in his defensive behaviour, but also better in opening up the game. He initiated the 3:0 with a strong long ball to Rafael Borré.
With his performance, the 29-year-old also confirmed his coach, who decided against the more playful Makoto Hasebe in the centre of the three-man backline. In view of the deficits in the build-up to the game in recent weeks, the Japanese player would probably also have been a good and understandable choice. But Glasner already indicated at the press conference two days before the match that Hinteregger would play: “I am very happy that Martin is clearly showing an upward trend. This training week is his best since I have been coach here. He is on his way back to his old strength.”
Despite all the praise, there is no question that the Austrian international must now confirm the performance from the Hertha game. Preferably on Wednesday in Seville, where the hurdles are higher than in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. But a full stadium and at least 5,000 Eintracht fans on site could inspire Hinteregger, who lives not least from the emotions in the stands. Julian Franzke