Eintracht Frankfurt is not afraid to look ahead.

After the 4-0 cup victory over Magdeburg, two world-class "M" are now approaching Hessen: first Bayern Munich this Friday (8.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga, on SAT.1 and DAZN) at home for the start of the Bundesliga and then Real Madrid in the final of the UEFA Supercup next Wednesday (9 p.m.) in Helsinki.

George Daniels

Editor in the sports department

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In terms of level, it can hardly be more demanding.

"Bayern and Real are the ultimate in the Champions League," says goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

Eintracht has also qualified for the premier class as the proud Europa League winner.

In this respect, the number two and three competitive games this season against football celebrities are an excellent test run for Europe's most important competition at club level.

"We have the tasks ahead of us that we have to measure ourselves against," said Trapp at the training camp in Windischgarsten.

They "deserved" the fact that Frankfurt opened the 60th Bundesliga season against the German champions in the World Cup arena, which was packed with 51,500 spectators - the premiere game of the new round will be broadcast to an audience of millions worldwide.

The goalkeeper ("We can be happy") made this statement on behalf of his teammates, who think the same way.

And they are all bursting with self-confidence after the good preparation for the season and the sovereign mastery of the cup task.

"We know we can beat Bayern."

Three of the last six duels went to Frankfurt

Trapp's declaration of war can be backed up with numbers.

It is true that no club in Frankfurt lost more often in their own stadium than Bayern, where goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was unable to train on Wednesday due to an upset stomach.

In return, the Munich team had to accept more defeats than in Frankfurt at any other professional club.

And what Eintracht can also pride itself on: The balance sheet of both clubs for the past three seasons is balanced.

Three of the last six duels went to the Hessians, who have clearly gained in reputation.

The Frankfurt team last opened the season on August 1, 2003 as one of the two main players – in Munich's Olympic Stadium, which they then lost 3-1.

And this time?

As far as the course of the entire 22/23 season is concerned, Bayern would be ahead again, Frankfurt's head coach Oliver Glasner is convinced of that.

"But that's not why we raise the white flag.

In a game, it's always possible to win against any team in the world," he said, aware that Eintracht had a "tricky task" ahead of them.

When the Austrian spoke on Wednesday that the coaching staff, together with the analysts, "let their heads spin" about the formation in which Frankfurt will play, Sebastian Rode will have played a key role in these considerations.

In Magdeburg, the captain had no playing time.

Instead, two-time goalscorer Daichi Kamada played alongside midfield boss Djibril Sow.

If Glasner stuck to this choice of personnel with Kamada and Mario Götze, Sow would be the only clear winner at headquarters - although the Swiss national player also moves forward.

"Our six sometimes overtook our strikers in Magdeburg.

Then there were turnovers.” In the second half, Eintracht was “too prone to counterattack”, the coach judged.

The Frankfurters will not be able to afford such weaknesses against Bayern, who are strong in attack.

In addition to Rode, the category of "ball chasers" (Glasner) also includes Kristijan Jakic, whom his coach called a "very serious option" for the Bayern game on Wednesday.

Glasner is spoiled for choice.

"Fortunately, I have a lot of positive thoughts," he said.

"I don't have to think about it, my God, who am I going to field?" The coach had already explained before the cup game that the right line-up against Magdeburg doesn't necessarily have to be the best line-up against Munich or Madrid.

Clarity will prevail on Friday.

"Then white smoke will rise in terms of the line-up," announced Glasner and advertised the opening hit: "Opening game, Friday evening, prime time against the current German champions, football heart, what more could you want?"