Having marked their return to Bundesliga action with five points from three league matches, Eintracht Frankfurt now play six games in three competitions over the next 21 days – starting with Hertha BSC’s visit to Deutsche Bank Park at 15:30 CET on Saturday.
Despite, or perhaps because of, Eintracht’s improved performance in the 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich last weekend, head coach Oliver Glasner has told his players to “stay humble”, adding: “It’s going to be a different game against Hertha.”
Unafraid of a challenge
The Eagles’ 1-1 draw at the Olympiastadion last August showed just how tough an opponent Hertha can be. The club from the capital have averaged 113 challenges per game in the Bundesliga this season, more than any other team in the division.
Eintracht’s teenage midfielder Marcel Wenig has recently returned to team training, as has Paxton Aaronson after returning from international duty with the USA. Recent signing Philipp Max, meanwhile, could be handed his debut against Berlin.
Hertha are also set to have one or two new faces in their ranks on Saturday. January acquisition Florian Niederlechner made his first appearance for the club against city rivals Union last weekend, while Tolga Cigerci returned to his former club on Tuesday.
A thorn in Eintracht’s side
Despite languishing in 17th place, Hertha’s players and coaching staff remain upbeat. “Even though it’s been a rubbish week, the lads have shown plenty of times how to handle this type of situation,” said head coach Sandro Schwarz after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Union. “We have to make our own luck again, pick ourselves up, score goals and win games,” added Marco Richter, who has proven something of a nemesis for the Eagles with five goals in nine appearances against them.
Eintracht, however, can take confidence from their recent meetings with Hertha, having won four, drawn three and lost only one of the teams’ past eight Bundesliga encounters. As Ansgar Knauff put it: “We’re on a very good path and will continue in exactly the same way.”
Match info
Kick-off: Saturday 4 February, 15:30 CET, Bundesliga, Matchday 19
Stadium: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt.