Out in the morning, back in the evening: Eintracht is putting pressure on for the last time this year.
This Friday, coach Oliver Glasner's team will fly to Bergamo, where the test against Atalanta, with which the Frankfurt club has been a fan for many years, is scheduled.
Not all men will be back on board on the return flight.
Luca Pellegrini is allowed to stay at home.
Ralph Weitbrecht
sports editor.
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The left-back and the rest of the Europa League winners take up duty on January 3 – with one or two exceptions.
Since it is now also officially certain that Eintracht will fly to the training camp in Dubai from January 4th to 14th, Daichi Kamada does not have to start this journey from Frankfurt.
The Japanese, who failed in the round of 16 at the desert World Cup in Qatar with his compatriots against Croatia, has flown directly from home to the emirate.
And if one of the two Eintracht professionals involved in the World Cup were to become world champions, coach Glasner would be willing to make concessions.
Only Frenchman Randal Kolo Muani and Croatian Kristijan Jakic are eligible.
The other five Eintracht players who were in Qatar have already retired from the tournament.
As the last Djibril Sow, who experienced a Waterloo with Switzerland in the 1: 6 against Portugal.
"Maybe there will be a Christmas amnesty," said the Eintracht coach with a wink on Wednesday.
A fresh world champion in the ranks of Eintracht would therefore also only have to join the team on January 4th in the training camp.
Glasner does not see any problems with the choice of location in Dubai.
“A million Germans fly to Dubai every year.
We are in no position to have to justify ourselves.
That's not Eintracht Frankfurt's job."
Glasner had 13 field players available on Wednesday.
Faride Alidou was out due to illness, Sebastian Rode and Timothy Chandler were again involved in their coaching course, as was substitute goalkeeper Jens Grahl.
Chandler is said to be actively involved in the test in Bergamo.
Alidou, if he has recovered, should also get playing time.
Glasner “wants to see engagement”
As against SV Sandhausen, Glasner wants to give some of his players a lot of playing time against the Italians.
Rafael Borré and Lucas Alario can count on full employment.
Glasner also wants to promote and challenge one or two talents from the U19s or U21s.
"Half an hour against Atalanta is worth more to them than the 16th game in the Hessenliga, because it's about the development of the player."
Glasner wants to see his team in good shape for the last time in the successful year 2022.
"I want to see commitment.
The boys should find solutions to go deeper.” Glasner's wishes for 2023 are clearly defined.
“All players should come back healthy and fit and stay that way.
Everything else is in our hands.” The Eintracht coach knows about the “very good starting position in all three competitions.
Many sporting challenges await us, including a great cup derby in Darmstadt.
I hope that the boys will keep up as they have been up to now.”
Glasner himself was in action in many places on Wednesday.
While he still took care of the training of his players in the morning, he was seen in a completely different role in the afternoon.
The Austrian waited at the traditional goose meal for the homeless.
"I really like doing that." He was also happy to be back in the stadium in the evening when emotional images of the triumph in Seville were shown at the vernissage "This year" in the foyer of the business area in the arena.
"I'll review the year a little while lying on the beach chair," said Glasner.
"Until now we haven't had enough time to savor it all." Glasner can also be happy that World Championship driver Sow will be there on January 3rd.
“I congratulated Djibril on an extraordinary year.
He is also an integral part of the national team.”
Sow, once again and still being courted by financially strong English Premier League clubs, wrote to the Eintracht coach: "Yes, I'm coming - and then we will celebrate the next successes with Eintracht Frankfurt." So there is no premature farewell in winter subject for the Swiss.