Oliver Glasner had no choice but to send out a few perseverance slogans.

"We have to accept the situation.

We have to give the best possible performance, it can't be perfect.

It's about putting your own ego a little further back, helping each other in unfamiliar positions.

The defense must show that they are not dependent on a 38-year-old."

Peter Hess

sports editor.

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With the diagnosis of a torn inner ligament, hopes have been dashed that Makoto Hasebe, who was injured against Tottenham, could give the Eintracht defense the support that the Frankfurt defense so needed after a short break before the 38-year-old Japanese returned to the regular formation.

Now Hasebe is missing again, and there are no arguments that the Eintracht defense will present itself as a bulwark without him when the Hessians this Saturday at 3.30 p.m. (in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky) Bayer Leverkusen for the home game receive.

The central defenders Tuta and Ndicka seem overplayed after months of constant exertion, the full-backs Jakic and Lenz are also struggling with themselves, and from the possible substitutes Buta, Onguene, Pellegrini and Knauff are injured or not yet fit enough for an assignment after injuries.

"Our personnel situation has worsened, we have to find solutions," says Glasner.

Which one will he choose?

The Austrian probably wasn't sure himself on Friday.

Jakic and Smolcic are options for the three-man defense, Glasner even mentioned Lenz, who he could withdraw against Glasgow Rangers, as in the Europa League final.

In London, Ebimbe and Alidou made their appearance on the flanks.

The two youngsters gave the Eintracht game against Tottenham new impetus after coming on, which impressed coach Glasner.

“Tottenham had the momentum in the second half.

The two shot it.

Our substitutes had a better impact on the game than the English."

The course of the last 20 minutes in London was very important as an encouragement for Leverkusen.

And above all the goal to 2:3 by Alidou and its creation.

“Pressing, throw-in, corner, goal.

The way we forced the goal when we were outnumbered has had an impact to this day,” said Glasner, adding that the final training session went extremely well.

“I would have expected the boys to be a little more tired after 36 hours from London.

But her tank is full - physically and mentally.

We have a good feeling.”

So far, Alidou has hardly been able to draw attention to himself.

Knauff, Lindstrom and the rest of the offensive showed convincing performances, so Glasner saw no reason to bring the 21-year-old new signing from HSV into play more often.

Although the coach was very fond of the winger from day one.

"He's a great guy and fitted in very well with us right away." But Alidou still has a few issues ahead of him.

"He has the hardware," says the Austrian, meaning the physical requirements such as athleticism and dynamics.

What the Hamburger is missing is bringing all his possibilities into one structure.

"But he's such a studious good guy that's to come."

Alidou played a kind of left winger at HSV, but defensive qualities were and are also required against Tottenham and Leverkusen.

"Sometimes he forgot the ball behind him, but he made up for that with his speed.

The only thing he can't afford to do is against Frimpong from Leverkusen, he's just as fast as he is," analyzes Glasner, adding: "If Ebimbe and Alidou play on the flanks, then someone has to think defensively too." On the other hand, they tend to think defensively Jakic and Lenz unable to keep up with the pace of the Leverkusen wingers Frimpong and Bakker.

Glasner goes into raptures when describing the opponent.

"For me, before the season, Leverkusen and Leipzig were Bayern's biggest rivals.

After an outstanding third-place season, they kept all their key players and got even stronger.” But after a series of disappointing results, the Werkself are only 15th in the table and they also lost 3-0 at home in the Champions League Porto looked bad last Wednesday.

"We won't let that fool us, this is a top squad that has underperformed so far," says Glasner.

"We need a good structure, otherwise Leverkusen will make life difficult for us with their pace." He is optimistic that his team also played their game against Tottenham.

"Not always, but in some phases."

With Eintracht and Bayer, two Champions League teams meet on Saturday who have had to cope with setbacks and whose defenses have each conceded 16 goals in the Bundesliga - only Bochum and Schalke have more.

Since both teams are characterized by strong offensive lines, there is a lot to suggest that a series will endure: So far, no Bundesliga game between Frankfurt and Leverkusen has ended 0-0.

And there were at least 74.