The man is a stunner.

A role model through and through.

Conversations with Makoto Hasebe are beneficial, refreshing, invigorating.

Just as it is fun to watch the Japanese go on on the football field.

The recurring talk about the age of a professional - at Hasebe you can save yourself that.

The Eintracht professional, who will soon be 38 years old, brings his performance week after week, game after game.

Only that should count.

Ralf Weitbrecht

Sports editor.

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Apparently, Oliver Glasner understood this, because the trainer of Frankfurt Eintracht does exactly what is required: He relies on Hasebe as a regular player. Glasner has also relied on Hasebe's services in the past three competitive games within a week - and has not been disappointed. On the contrary: every time the Libero was one of the best with a peripheral view of the free man and the potential for a quick, direct development game. "I really want to give back the trust of the coach," said Hasebe on Wednesday in his humble way.

Hasebe took plenty of time to talk to the reporters after the first training session of the week - Glasner had rewarded his team with two days off after the first seasonal Bundesliga home win against Union Berlin.

One asked the question about the strength, Hasebe replied quickly: “I played three games in eight days.

So I did it. ”Problems?

No, it does not exist.

"I feel very good," said Hasebe and smiled.

Course at the DFB

Many see the long-time captain of the Japanese national team as the Frankfurt player-coach. An appreciation that Hasebe flatters and definitely likes. But he does not yet see himself as a playing football teacher, although he is currently attending a relevant course at the German Football Association (DFB). “I'm more of a player than a coach,” he said and called the workload I have completed at the DFB as “very interesting. I learned a lot."

His teammates can learn a lot from Hasebe. Calm, circumspection, game intelligence, structure, strategic vision: It is a cornucopia of the finest abilities and skills with which Hasebe convinces and unity is a great, indispensable aid. Hasebe is proud that he can show his wealth of experience on the pitch week after week. “I want to be humble. But maybe I can play longer. "

So far it looks like Hasebe is hanging up his football boots after the end of this Bundesliga season and dedicating himself to the role he was supposed to play as a brand ambassador, perhaps also as a coach. At the moment, however, it would be negligent to send a Hasebe to old age in the form in which it currently presents itself. There have been no talks about his future as a player in Eintracht dress. Hasebe herself does not see the time for it yet - but in spring. “March or April, I'm curious,” he said, hoping for a meeting with those responsible for sports director Markus Krösche.

Hasebe is the heart and mind of the triple chain, which has gained significantly in power and stability in the past few weeks. Not only Hasebe convinces with strong performances, also his two young right and left supporters Tuta and Evan Ndicka are playing better than ever. However, this is not a guarantee that this will also be the case in the future. Already on Saturday, in the Sinsheim away game at TSG Hoffenheim (3:30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky), Hasebe could drop out of the starting line-up.

"Hinti can play again," said Hasebe about the ready-to-use Martin Hinteregger. “He's our best defender. And Ilse is also waiting for his chance. ”Stefan Ilsanker, Hinteregger's Austrian compatriot. Hasebe is also impressed by the development of the second Japanese of unity. “Daichi has been showing its potential for two years. At the age of 25 he still has all the options. ”Hasebe's advice to Kamada:“ He has to be more dangerous and score goals. ”This Saturday in the ambitious fifth in the table, which has been playing strongly for weeks?

According to the decision of the federal-state conference on Thursday, a maximum of 15,000 spectators can attend.

Or will it be a ghost game without a spectator after all?

Baden-Württemberg had announced a corresponding regulation like Bavaria - Hasebe would regret it.

“No mood, no atmosphere - this is a disaster.

We need the football fans. ”And Eintracht needs an expert like Hasebe.