Bayern, Hertha, Betis.
For Eintracht, the program for the coming weeks has been fixed since Friday.
It was the day when the eyes of those responsible in Frankfurt turned to Switzerland, to Nyon, the seat of the European Football Union.
Draw for the round of 16 in the Europa League.
It took until the last game, then there was certainty: Coach Oliver Glasner's team will face Real Betis Sevilla, currently third in the Spanish league.
Ralph Weitbrecht
sports editor.
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Because the Europa League record winner FC Sevilla is also in the round of the top sixteen teams, the Eintracht game, which was initially scheduled away in Spain, will kick off on Wednesday (March 9, 6.45 p.m.) at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, the pitch for 60,000 visitors.
FC play West Ham United a day later in the city where the top two of all Europa League teams meet in the final on 18 May.
Offensive power from Andalusia
Eintracht does not think that far yet.
But first of all, the Hessians want to make it to the quarter-finals.
At least that's what sports director Markus Krösche said after the draw.
“We have to go to our limit against strong opponents Betis.
But our goal is clear, to win twice and get through.” Eintracht coach Glasner spoke of a “tough nut” and a “very attractive lot.
Spanish football is always good and beautiful football.
I've been there as a spectator before."
The Andalusians, who are having their best season in 25 years, will be guided by coach Manuel Pellegrini, who has turned the relegated team into a top team.
The showpiece of Real Betis is the offensive.
With 47 goals after 25 games played, she is the second best in Spain.
On Sunday there will be a prestigious city duel against FC, who are second in the table behind Real Madrid.
Against Bayern with full focus
For Eintracht, a three-month waiting period in the Europa League is over with the round of 16 duel against Real Betis.
The Glasner team last played on the Bosphorus on December 9, where they drew 1-1 at Fenerbahce Istanbul in the final group game.
In order to be prepared for the return to your favorite competition on March 9th, you have to assert yourself in your core business, the Bundesliga.
In the first of two tests, Eintracht is not a favorite, because the opponent this Saturday (6.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky) in front of 25,000 spectators in the Frankfurt Arena, which was sold out, is Bayern Munich.
In order to draw lasting attention like in the first half of the season - a surprising 2-1 win at the defending champions - it takes more than just a "cream day", which coach Glasner talked about on Thursday.
Unlike last Saturday in Cologne, Glasner needs a fully functional team in which all players can perform at their best.
In the 1-0 defeat, Eintracht still played eleven in the second half.
But because Daichi Kamada showed a very weak performance, this failure acted as a brake.
The setback has been worked up, Glasner has found clear words for his team.
With that, the series of defeats of the past few weeks is over for the Austrian football coach.
"For us it's now full speed ahead together."
With Sam Lammers, Eintracht also believed that it could go full steam ahead.
But since the Dutchman, on loan from Europa League competitor Atalanta Bergamo, has been on the ball for Frankfurt, his development has stalled.
The 24-year-old has scored one goal in ten Bundesliga appearances so far.
A rate that needs to get better.
In preparation for the game against the champions, Lammers has played a little in the coach's focus again.
"He finished very well," Glasner praised the goals that Lammers scored from sometimes challenging positions for practice.
But none of that counts.
It matters in competition.
After all: Glasner agrees with Lammers' "incredible training diligence" and concedes the Dutchman's "upward trend".
Glasner continues to hope "that he will score more important goals for us".
The only thing that has been important for Eintracht so far: It was the away goal in the 1-1 draw in Wolfsburg.