A Carinthian in Catalonia.
Martin Hinteregger could not have painted it any better.
He, the emotional kicker from the land of lakes and mountains, has become sporty at home in the self-proclaimed heart of Europe, the home of unity.
his unity.
On Thursday, in the quarter-final first leg in the Europa League against FC Barcelona, which was transfigured into a game of the century, the gnarly Frankfurt defense chief Hinteregger did everything, but really everything, to ensure that Eintracht after the well-deserved 1-1 draw against the five-time premier class winner semi-final can live on.
Nothing is lost, everything is still possible in this duel between small and large, in which Hinteregger, who is not that big physically, has once again outgrown himself.
Ralph Weitbrecht
sports editor.
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Tackles, header duels, sliding tackles - it is the well-known portfolio of the 29-year-old clearer, with which he becomes an anchor of stability for his team.
And for the fans to the darling.
There were also the well-known “Hinti” calls against Barça.
As they slosh around the arena, it seems like the "Hinti, Hinti" amplifies and gets louder from block to block.
That's probably the case - and it underlines: Hinteregger has a special, special value for Eintracht.
He is not a cymbal builder who excels as a libero with dancing ease.
Hinteregger is the man for the rustic, uncompromising.
The Catalans from FC Barcelona did not like this at all in the first showdown.
Against the defense organized by Hinteregger, there was hardly any getting through.
Only when they managed to break through with a ball relay did they concede a goal.
Hinteregger couldn't do anything.
He had already given everything anyway.
Missed?
Doesn't matter.
Just like almost three years ago in London, when he didn't hesitate for a second to take the decisive penalty in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Hinteregger missed – and what were the many Frankfurt fans who had traveled with them doing at Stamford Bridge: They comforted their favorite after Chelsea missed the shot.
Since then there has been this unbreakable relationship between professional and fan, which is of outstanding importance for the sensitive Hinteregger.
Hinteregger's career has been anything but straight.
Again and again there were breaks, setbacks, disappointments.
It's no secret that he wrote about problem gambling in his autobiography Inside View.
That he was struggling with depressive phases.
Hinteregger also recently went through valleys with Eintracht.
But at least since his strong-willed commitment in the round of 16 against Real Betis, when he helped score the decisive goal in extra time, the Carinthian has been on the rise again.
"Martin forced this goal with everything he had," said his Austrian compatriot, Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner, praising the effort.
“He even risked an injury.
I'm particularly happy for him because he's had a difficult few months."
So now the festival against Barcelona.
The splendid start has been made, Eintracht is still in the running - and Hinteregger always seemed to have known it: "Frankfurt can do Europe," said Hinteregger, who can hardly believe his personal luck.
“With us, 30,000 will be flying to Barcelona next week.
You have to imagine that.” Yes, it's true: “I played football in Sirnitz until I was 13 years old.” A small community with almost 300 inhabitants, not far from Feldkirchen, where Hinteregger was born.
"And all of a sudden you're playing in front of 99,000 people at the Camp Nou.
That's what you play football for."
It may be a few thousand fewer next Thursday under European Cup conditions.
It doesn't change anything about the impressive scenery.
The Frankfurt Arena fits twice into the Camp Nou.
There is only one Martin Hinteregger.
That's a good thing for Eintracht, because the man with the left foot, the strong head and the great will to assert himself is an important building block in the Frankfurt personnel puzzle in terms of sport, personality and atmosphere.
"Hinti is an extremely important factor", Markus Krösche praised the reliable Carinthian after the 1-1 draw against Barcelona.
Eintracht's sports director also knows: "He's in a good mood." So good that Eintracht is hoping to fly to Barcelona, where the modest Hinteregger can crown his youthful beginnings in Sirnitz.