Jesper Lindström and Jens Petter Hauge have not had an easy few weeks. On matchday 8, the two newcomers showed an indiscreet performance against Hertha BSC (1:2) – and faced clear criticism from the media. The co-production for the 2-1 winner in Piraeus could now give them new self-confidence.
Overtime was already underway when the most spectacular and beautiful scene of the entire 90 minutes unfolded. It was an expression of sheer willpower as Evan Ndicka stole the ball from Olympiakos defender Kenny Lala, took off running and kept running even after losing his left boot. With his weaker right foot, he played a perfectly timed pass to the onrushing Lindström, who served Hauge, the goal-scorer, who was running into the middle. “I’m happy for Jesper and Jens Petter, who didn’t have such an easy time,” coach Oliver Glasner emphasised, revealing, “Two or three minutes before, during a break, I told them: boys, you’ll still get your chance. They invest a lot for the team, and then you get rewarded for it.”
Lindström had already scored the penalty in Antwerp in the 90th minute to make it 1-0; the two assists gave Eintracht four points in the Europa League – and an early place in the competition. With a win at home against Antwerp, the Hessians could clinch the group win, which would see them skip the intermediate round and move straight into the last 16.
“We are very happy to have won here against a really good team in the Hexenkessel and to have achieved our first goal – to spend the winter in the Europa League – so early,” said Glasner, whose relief was clear to see. “I am incredibly proud of the team. Olympiakos have lost two games this season, twice against us. We mobilised all our strength,” the coach sums up. We have to do the same on Sunday at Fürth, who are bottom of the table, in order to go into the international break with a good feeling. Scorer of the winning goal Hauge demands: “We have to take the self-confidence with us, show a good performance and take three points with us.”
