Victories make you self-confident.
Oliver Glasner and his players were able to savor the feeling of complete success three times in a row.
The reward: The gap to the relegation places in the Bundesliga has increased after the victories in Fürth and Freiburg - and the jump straight into the second round of the Europa League is within reach after the away win in Piraeus.
This Thursday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Europa League, on RTL and RTL +) it should be made perfect.
"We want to celebrate a cool Europe night together with our fans," said Glasner a good 30 hours before the start of the last home game in the group stage against Royal Antwerp.
Ralf Weitbrecht
Sports editor.
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Together with captain Sebastian Rode at his side, the Eintracht coach presented himself in a good mood on Wednesday. Even the failure of his compatriot Martin Hinteregger did not spoil the good mood of the Austrian. Hinteregger, who still complains of a bruise on his foot, had to pause in everyday life at the 2-0 in Freiburg. The game-intelligent Makoto Hasebe should once again take over the role of the free man in the Frankfurt defense.
Because Eintracht leads group D with ten points from four games ahead of Olympiacos Piraeus (6) and Fenerbahce Istanbul (5), they go into the game with the last one as the favorite.
The Belgians have only drawn once;
the first comparison with unity was lost 0: 1.
The goal scorer in Belgium back then was Gonçalo Paciência.
The Portuguese is back in the squad after an injury break and may even be an option for a place in the starting XI.
"With us it's always a surprise bag"
The Frankfurt plan for Royal is: "We want to win the game and win the winter in first place," said Glasner.
Should this succeed, the unity can neither be intercepted by the Greeks nor by the Turks.
A complete success and the associated group victory would be synonymous with a special bonus of 1.1 million euros plus a bonus of 1.2 million euros for participation in the round of 16.
In addition, Glasner would have more time to train next spring, because the round of 16 will not be played until March 10th and 17th.
On Wednesday, Captain Rode left no doubt about the importance of the last group home game on the press podium in the catacombs of the Frankfurt Arena.
“The joy is always immense to be part of it internationally.
We want to make the group win clear.
All of us are hot for it. "
Eintracht coach Glasner warned against underestimating the severed bottom of the group.
"We can't print the result beforehand," said the soccer teacher.
“I warn against that.” Nonetheless, Glasner also emphasized the advantages of the latest successful series.
“A lot of things are easier now.
The players don't have to think so much anymore. "
Of course, this is not a guarantee for the continuation of these positive experiences, because Captain Rode recalled the final moments in which Eintracht often managed to give games the decisive kick.
"It's always a lucky bag for us," said the 31-year-old midfielder.
"It takes all your strength to give everything until the end."
While Eintracht coach Glasner had missed the ease with one or the other professional in some games in the past, he ascribes the most recent Bundesliga victory in the new Freiburg stadium to be an initial one. “We gained confidence there,” said the coach, who is convinced: “We are in good shape. We all want to enjoy the evening. "
The only question is whether everyone who is allowed to come will really come.
Weeks ago, the Frankfurt health department had granted Eintracht's application to allow a total of 40,000 spectators - as, incidentally, for the subsequent Bundesliga match against Union Berlin on Sunday.
40,000 visitors in the worsening pandemic times?
We hear from Eintracht that it could be 30,000.
Ready for a “cool Europe night”, just as Glasner and his team would like.