What happened at Eintracht Frankfurt three years ago?

A sporting catastrophe, those who can or want to remember will say.

At that time, the team of former head coach Adi Hütter was in embarrassing condition in Leverkusen and lost 6-1 to fourth-placed teammates.

The embarrassing result from the point of view of the very confused Eintracht already existed at half-time.

George Daniels

Editor in the sports department

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The Bundesliga game on May 5, 2019 took place between the two semi-finals of the Europa League between Hessen and Chelsea.

Four days later, after a big fight, the Frankfurters were eliminated in London on penalties.

Those were bitter days for Eintracht.

In the Bundesliga, she fell from fourth to seventh in the final sprint.

This Monday (8.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN) the Frankfurt team will again be playing against Leverkusen away from home.

And as the schedule for the 32nd first division round wants, this encounter is also embedded between Eintracht's two international semi-finals.

After the 2-1 win in London against West Ham United last Thursday, the Hessians welcome the English this Thursday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Europa League and on RTL) for the second showdown in the World Cup arena.

Then the team of current head coach Oliver Glasner wants to take a big step forward and reach the crowning Europa League final on May 18 in Seville.

Eintracht struggles through the Bundesliga

In terms of performance, the second most important European competition this season is the premier class for Eintracht.

She has been rushing from triumph to triumph for months.

Six wins and five draws are in Frankfurt's track record, which is the only team that is unbeaten.

Under Glasner they have become a successful community for the special moments.

For him, efficiency is “the biggest difference between the Europa League and the Bundesliga.

When it comes to efficiency, we're number one in the Europa League," said Glasner on Sunday.

In contrast to the outstanding standing on the big stage, the Hessians are struggling convulsively through the game in the Bundesliga.

In their core business, they have already missed their class target: Eintracht cannot qualify again for the Europa League.

The glamor in the Europa League - as a surprise winner, Frankfurt would move into the Champions League - is offset by the many setbacks in everyday league life.

In the second half of the table, the Frankfurt team is only fourteenth, and in the home table they are only third from last ahead of Bielefeld and Fürth.

In the away statistics, they still rank sixth.

Now Leverkusen again like three years ago.

Only the day of the game is different with Monday, the Frankfurters have to play for the first time this season at the beginning of the week.

Because league operations were suspended on May 1st, there is no other way.

For Glasner, the duel in third place will be his 100th assignment as a Bundesliga coach.

Thursday is supposed to be a special game in his vita: Reaching the final of the Europa League would be the greatest success of the football coach from Austria, who qualified for the Champions League with VfL Wolfsburg in the previous season via the Bundesliga.

Accordingly, the main concentration of the Hessians is the clash with West Ham.

"We don't want to shut down in any way.

We want to keep the international flow,” said Glasner.

But: The game against West Ham has "absolute priority in terms of the players' workload management," emphasized the Austrian.

The starting line-up against Leverkusen is geared towards Thursday for "reasons of rhythm and workload".

Glasner will rest some players for the preliminary highlight of the season.

With the intention that they will then be able to perform at their best.

In the case of Rafael Borré, the decision will be made for the head coach as the Colombian misses his fifth yellow card.

Jesper Lindström cannot play either, the 22-year-old Dane is suffering from a muscle injury in his right thigh, which he sustained during the game in London.

With regard to the second leg, it will be "a race against time," says Glasner.

"I don't completely rule out Jesper's use."

Defensive boss Martin Hinteregger, who, according to Glasner, "doesn't feel quite well", will also not be part of the game in Leverkusen.

Team captain Sebastian Rode stays in Frankfurt "due to stress".

Offensive player Ragnar Ache, on the other hand, will probably have a chance to prove himself, as the coach said: "The fact that Ragnar has not played from the start could change."

And otherwise?

Glasner ruled out considering U-19 players.

He has only one thought when putting the team together: "I'll see what's best for Eintracht Frankfurt.

I'm not paid by other clubs.” Glasner countered any allegations of possible distortion of competition with determination and humour: “We've already given the points to a lot of people who are playing against relegation.

Nobody shouted: That's distortion of competition.” Everyone should take care of their own club, the coach recommended.

Eintracht won the first leg against Leverkusen 5-2 after a stunning performance.

It is her highest win of the season so far.