Kevin Trapp was not nominated for the upcoming international matches. But with a world-class performance in front of the national coach’s eyes, the 31-year-old secured Frankfurt’s surprising 2-1 coup at FC Bayern.
“The coach said yesterday that we need a super goalkeeper, and I wanted to give him that today,” Trapp told “DAZN” with a smile after the sensational 2-1 win over FC Bayern. The Frankfurt goalkeeper had reacted several times before in the greatest of emergencies and caused the record champions’ assembled offensive to despair. “You just have to believe in yourself. If you go into the game with the attitude: ‘Let’s see how many we get’, then of course it will be rather difficult. We always believed in ourselves and got the maximum out of the resources we had today. “
Lewandowski and Co. despair
The maximum was three points, Eintracht’s first win of the season at the seventh attempt. Thanks to a fighting performance of the highest order, a goal and an assist from the strong Filip Kostic – and thanks to Trapp, who probably did his greatest deed of the evening in the 56th minute. He had the presence of mind to save Robert Lewandowski’s header from close range with his foot. “That was pure intuition, you don’t have much time to think. You just make yourself as big as possible,” explained the match-winner. Even a beam from the right by Serge Gnabry (64th), a late finish by Leroy Sané (65th) and a placed shot by Lewandowski were not enough to overcome Trapp.
“A success like today can be extremely helpful in giving us more confidence, more self-confidence and strengthening our belief in our strength. “
KEVIN TRAPP
“I don’t think many believed in our chance here. It was really a lot of work, but we defended very well. Chapeau to the team. We played against a Bayern team today that is in unbelievable shape,” continued Trapp, who had been powerless to score Bayern’s opening goal through Leon Goretzka in the first half.
The redemption was evident in his face after the liberating blow. “The management changed in the summer, the coach changed. A lot of things have changed. If you then don’t get the results in on the pitch, then it becomes difficult to accelerate the process,” Trapp looked back on the start with five draws in six games. “A success like today can be extremely helpful in giving us more confidence, getting more self-confidence and consolidating the belief in our strength. We turned around a game in Munich today, that will give us a boost. “
Application letter to Flick
In addition to the longed-for three points, another aspect plays into the keeper’s relief. Trapp is not part of the squad presented during the week for the upcoming international matches. National coach Hansi Flick gave preference to Arsenal benchwarmer Bernd Leno alongside regular keeper Manuel Neuer and the recovering Marc-André ter Stegen. “Of course I’m disappointed,” admitted Trapp. “But the only thing I can influence is my performance and to show that the coach can’t get around me anymore.” Trapp could not have delivered a better letter of application in front of Flick in the stands – even if it is probably too late for next week’s games: “I don’t think he’ll call about it and say, now you can come after all. “