A wonderful story, a dreamlike development.
A few months ago, Ansgar Knauff played for Borussia Dortmund's second team in the third division.
And now?
Now the offensive player is stirring up the Europa League.
The Frankfurt player on loan from BVB only knows one maxim: Always full throttle, always giving everything.
Ralph Weitbrecht
sports editor.
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Like in the quarterfinals against the great FC Barcelona, when he convinced with a dream goal.
And just like now in the semifinals at West Ham United.
This time it went faster, much faster, until Knauff and the whole team could celebrate.
It only took 50 seconds for the ball to be in the English goal – and it seems a bit unreal that the agile outsider didn't score with his foot but with his head.
Knauff found just the right moment to force his way into the Hammers' box, wait for Rafael Borré's cross and put the ball past United keeper Alphonse Areola over the line.
"It was a great feeling in this incredible game," said Knauff later, when London's coup was complete.
"Rafael's ball before the 1-0 was turned in the direction of the goal really well, I just had to turn my head."
A discipline that actually doesn't suit Knauff at all, as his trainer told us in a humorous anecdote.
Trainer Oliver Glasner reported at a late hour in the spacious catacombs of the London Stadium about the training ritual, in which Knauff also and above all plays a role.
It is part of the regular end of a training session to set the last exclamation point with crosses and headers.
"Kevin will probably also smile that Ansgar scores such a header," said Glasner in London, addressing goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who was sitting next to him on the podium in the press conference room.
"In training, Ansgar is always the joker when it comes to crosses and headers." Why?
"Because there are extra points for it" and because Eintracht knows that this is not Knauff's core competence.
Meteoric rise of Knauff
But far from it.
He can.
And with everything that Knauff has already experienced and achieved during his meteoric rise in Frankfurt, it is still important to stay grounded.
"He's humble," Glasner said.
"We're just giving him some advice."
It's not much that his superiors have to tell him - not even for the next test on Monday, then in everyday Bundesliga life at Bayer Leverkusen (8.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN).
Knauff storms and fights, doesn't give up a ball, puts his opponents under pressure with constant high speed and always finds solutions and ideas for surprising moments.
Against Barcelona, he didn't think twice when he had the chance to measure up and try a brilliant shot.
A goal like a stab in the heart of the Catalans – just like the headed goal scored in no time at all against the “Hammers”.
As if Markus Krösche had guessed it during the winter break, when he quickly agreed with those responsible in Dortmund on a loan deal until mid-2023.
"Ansgar fits into our team very well with his pace and his understanding of the game and would like to take the next step in development here.
He is able to help us immediately on the flanks," said the sporting director, explaining the decision to sign.
Krösche wasn't wrong.
Knauff really helps Eintracht.
But help also came from the ranks.
"The fans helped us a lot again," said Knauff.
"Even if there weren't that many this time, they created a great atmosphere.
They were still celebrating 30 to 40 minutes after the game.”
Impulsive and almost unstoppable on the pitch, cautious and analytical off the sidelines: Knauff was also one of the most sought-after people to talk to in London, and he was right in his assessment that "we defended very well in the last 20 minutes".
United increased the pressure but were unlucky to see Jarrod Bowen hit the bar with an overhead kick early in injury time.
But unity resisted everything.
And right in the middle is the versatile knob.
"He's on the right track," said his coach.
"He can start a great career." And continue to create great European moments with carefreeness and zest for action.