Three weeks of winter break is not a lot, but long enough to raise a question: Was Frankfurt Eintracht able to save their excellent form over the turn of the year?

Before they left for their short Christmas break, trainer Oliver Glasner and his professionals left no doubt that the break after the exertions of autumn would be very welcome.

But as thin as they may have been mentally and physically, after a bumpy start to the season they had climbed into a flow that led them to sixth place in the Bundesliga table.

Peter Hess

Sports editor.

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Before the duel with the second Borussia Dortmund this Saturday (6.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky) only one point separates the Hessians from a Champions League rank. Another success would even bring BVB back within reach, the gap would then be only four points. But how sustainable is the upswing in unity? Was an enthusiastic team riding a wave of success, or is their substance big enough to continue at the high level as a matter of course after the break?

The encounter with Borussia Dortmund will give clear indications where the journey is going, especially because Jesper Lindström is out.

Because for the first time since the 2: 1 at Greuther Fürth, which heralded the turning point, Glasner has to change the offensive formation due to the Dane's corona infection.

During the series of six wins in seven Bundesliga games, the central trio Lindström, Kamada, Borré was always in the starting line-up - always supported by left winger Kostic.

In this occupation, the Frankfurt attack developed automatisms that made it a serious threat to the enemy.

17 goals in the last seven Bundesliga games express this.

Professionals without proof of form

But just as there is something good in every bad, there is also something bad in every good: The dear Sturm colleagues were pretty much left with the high of the trio (Kostic is already set). When coach Glasner listed the alternatives for Lindström on Thursday, he did not name a professional with proof of form. Everyone lacks the match practice for this. Gonçalo Paciência, Sam Lammers and Ragnar Ache were only used for a few minutes during the successful streak of Frankfurt, Paciçência the most, Lammers the least.

Glasner announced a few weeks ago that the Dutchman Lammers would soon score a few goals for Eintracht, but so far there is nothing to indicate when that time might come.

He was only allowed to surf for three minutes during Eintracht's successful wave ride.

The self-esteem of the sensitive striker tends towards zero.

Paciência is characterized by a sunny disposition, the Portuguese always fights on indefatigably, even if it looks bad for him.

And was rewarded time and again with a goal out of the blue.

But Paciência's style of play doesn't really fit into the unity storm system developed without him.

That seems to be the case for Ragnar Ache as well. The Frankfurt native is outside the evaluation. Because with a maximum working time of 19 minutes there is no possibility of acclimatization. The 23-year-old arrived in Frankfurt in the summer of 2020 with high hopes. At Sparta Rotterdam he had successfully started his professional career, at Eintracht the dynamic and powerful attacker should be the counter-attacker, which the team had been missing until then. But Ache's body kept letting him down, a continuous build-up of form was hardly possible for him.

Even after the highlight of his career so far, the trip to Tokyo with the German Olympic team, he returned injured.

Ache earned the respect of colleagues through his tireless work in the rehab center.

He had to pay hardship for a long time on the training ground.

His game lives from strength and speed, but experienced defenders know how to stop such opponents if they lack the sophistication.

Sometimes Ache seemed a little discouraged.

On Thursday, Glasner certified his attacker to have made a "very agile impression" during this week of training.

Perhaps an indication that Ache will be in the starting line-up for the first time on Saturday.

His force and sprinting ability could be effective in the switching moments against advanced Dortmunders.

Playing off a defensive network against defensive opponents is less of an interest to him. And he hardly gets the opportunity to acquire new skills in games. Which in turn can hardly be blamed for Glasner, as he cannot put the development of a single professional above the success of the team. So maybe it would make the most sense to lend the talent. There should be enough inquiries. However, Eintracht has always spoken out against it so far. Also a sign of appreciation for Ache, but perhaps not the most effective.

Another player is leaving Frankfurt after six months.

The 17-year-old winger Fabio Blanco Gómez is moving to FC Barcelona.

The Eintracht announced on Saturday.

He moved from FC Valencia to Frankfurt last summer, where he signed a contract until mid-2023.

In the current season, however, the Spaniard only made eight appearances for the U19s and did not have the patience to recommend himself to the Bundesliga team.