Hrvoje Smolcic was part of the Frankfurt matchday squad 15 times in all competitions.

But the 22-year-old Croatian was only in the starting line-up for the first time on Tuesday in the cup game, which he won 2-0 against Stuttgarter Kickers.

On the left side in the back three, his preferred position.

George Daniels

Editor in the sports department

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The debutant, who moved to Main from Rijeka before the season, replaced the usually seeded Evan Ndicka, who had been given a breather by coach Oliver Glasner in the game against the fifth division club.

Smolcic was allowed to play through in the Waldau stadium, which was packed with 10,000 spectators.

The young defender's strengths include his game vision and ability to anticipate.

He is also characterized by his duel toughness and header strength.

Smolcic proved this in the 17th minute when he headed a corner kick from Mario Götze to make it 2-0.

It was his debut goal for the cup round of 16 participants.

However, one should not expect too much from the left foot, because the goalscorer is not a goalscorer.

In his 89 competitive games for HNK Rijeka he only scored twice, one of them last season.

Back home, Smolcic, whose twin brother Ivan also played in Rijeka, was a whiz kid.

His career began there at the age of 14, and it didn't take long for the defender to become a regular in the first division.

At the age of 20, Hrvoje Smolcic led his team as captain, Eintracht sports director Markus Krösche called the new signing a "manager who brings a lot".

Smolcic, who cost Eintracht around two million euros, also has experience from several European games.

Nevertheless, he has become a late starter in Germany.

One reason for this is that the Bundesliga is at a higher level than the Croatian league.

Not to forget the greater competition at Eintracht.

In addition, Smolcic, who is not one of the fastest players, brought a few legacy issues to his new employer.

After a very solid preparation in Frankfurt, he was suspended for the DFB Cup first round match in Magdeburg (4-0) because he had received a yellow-red card in the Croatian Cup final against Hajduk Split.

As Glasner could not plan with Smolcic for the league opener against Bayern Munich because of his game suspension.

Nine yellow cards finally debited his season account in Croatia, which meant a game ban, which also applied to the German game.

"We have committed a roughneck," Glasner said jokingly.

"I'm still learning at the age of 48, too." Smolcic doesn't describe himself as a hothead.

He is not one who “collects red cards”, Smolcic emphasized during his presentation.

In Stuttgart, Bundesliga referee Deniz Aytekin showed him a yellow card after 89 minutes of play.

Good and bad scenes alternated with Smolcic.

He "did it very well", judged Glasner about his starting XI debutant.

"It's good to know that we have alternatives.

We will need them.”

Next Wednesday in the Champions League home game against Olympique Marseille (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and on DAZN), Frankfurt will have to do without the suspended defender Tuta.

As a personality, Smolcic quickly arrived in the circle of colleagues.

"Hrvoje isn't someone who complains when he's not playing," praised captain Sebastian Rode.

"I'm really happy that he scored a goal right away.

That’s why he works so hard in training.”