That was it with the summer sale.

This year, up to and including September 1, there was the opportunity to tinker with the squad one last time.

Eintracht has once again committed itself to this by parting ways with Ajdin Hrustic.

Ralph Weitbrecht

sports editor.

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As indicated days ago, the move to Hellas Verona in Serie A was made perfect on Thursday.

The Australian with Bosnian roots would be contractually bound to Eintracht Frankfurt for another season.

"Always at the service of the team"

But it has long been clear that the 26-year-old midfielder has no sporting prospects in the squad of Europa League winners Eintracht.

"Ajdin Hrustic always put himself at the service of the team, especially in the past season, and behaved in an exemplary manner despite the short playing times," sporting director Markus Krösche was quoted as saying in a club statement.

"In the Europa League final, he played his part in winning the title with the converted penalty.

With the transfer, we are complying with his wish to get regular match practice.” Off to Italy.

For Hrustic, who moved from FC Groningen to Eintracht in Germany in the summer of 2020, the journey around the world continues.

He made 40 competitive appearances in the Eintracht dress and scored three goals.

Perhaps his best game came in early February, when he scored twice in the win against VfB Stuttgart.

Newcomers with room for improvement

In terms of personnel, a lot has happened at Eintracht in recent weeks.

The board member responsible for the playing staff, Krösche, took courageous action - and did not always have a lucky hand.

Jens Petter Hauge, for example, who came from AC Milan, was signed after a loan deal for ten million euros - and immediately loaned to KAA Gent for a year.

Lucas Alario, who moved from Leverkusen to Frankfurt for six million euros, has so far not lived up to the expectations placed in him.

Hrvoje Smolcic (HNK Rijeka/2.5 million euros) and Jerome Onguene (RB Salzburg) have hardly made an appearance so far, Aurelio Buta, like Onguene, has been injured for months.

Kristijan Jakic, signed after a loan deal for 3.5 million euros, is currently playing a prominent role in coach Oliver Glasner's plans in a position that the Croatian does not really have: right-back.

“This is an intense phase now”

It is very likely that Jakic will also play on the unfamiliar outpost this Saturday, when in the core business Bundesliga table neighbor RB Leipzig presents itself for the top game in the sold-out Frankfurt Arena (6.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky).

The game against the Saxons marks the start of ten English weeks for Eintracht.

“This is an intense phase now.

That eats,” said coach Glasner.

"Now it's game, game, game."

On Saturday against Leipzig, on Wednesday against Sporting Lisbon in the group stage of the Champions League and then on Saturday in the Bundesliga against VfL Wolfsburg: "We go into every game to win it," Glasner said of his team's claim is a matter of course.

The coach is happy

Winning games requires strategists and professionals with foresight and oversight.

Players like Mario Götze, who was able to convince Eintracht managers around manager Krösche and coach Glasner to move from Eindhoven to Frankfurt.

The Champions League label in particular acted as a catalyst for the transfer.

At Eintracht, it is hoped that the 30-year-old Götze will follow his first direct goal in the 4: 3 spectacle in Bremen.

"I have 21 field players in the squad," said Glasner on Thursday.

"You all have my full attention.

I'm looking forward to the Champions League season and have absolutely no reason to be miserable.” The Bundesliga got off to a rocky start and Eintracht still haven't won a home game.

"But we all always want to get the best out of Eintracht Frankfurt," said Glasner, speaking of a "historic season".

The coach sees his team well equipped for the diverse tasks that await the team.

“The mood has been relaxed for weeks.

We have a good spirit.

They are great guys and great characters.”

"Great team, great players, great coach"

So now the speed and power footballers from RB Leipzig.

Glasner has a lot of respect for the great attack line with Timo Werner, Christopher Nkunku and André Silva - two of the trio play in the tactical system of coach Domenico Tedesco.

In general, the Austrian football coach got enthusiastic when looking at the upcoming opponent.

"Great team, great players, great coach."

One player who quickly finds his feet in the new Frankfurt environment is Randal Kolo Muani.

His move from FC Nantes to the Bundesliga has so far proved to be a direct hit.

The way he scored a goal in the 4:3 in Bremen at the end of a courageous solo aroused desires.

Not Rafael Borré, but Muani is currently the first choice on the offensive.

If Eintracht wants to have a chance against RB, Muani needs to be in splendid form once more.

Glasner is counting on the French - and is happy that the summer sale is finally over.

The Eintracht coach already had a fixed plan for the pastime in the evening: "I'll order a Bembel."