Story of the month: First Champions League draw
All eyes were on Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium on the evening of 25 August, when the draw for the group stage of the 2022/23 Champions League was held.
Europa League winners the previous season, Eintracht Frankfurt were included in the draw for the very first time. The Hessians would have to get the better of Sporting Clube de Portugal, Olympique de Marseille and Tottenham Hotspur in Group D to book their place in the knockout stages of the competition.
“We’ve been drawn in a very appealing and attractive group,” said board member for sport Markus Krösche. “We’re very much looking forward to this challenge.”
Face of the month: Alex Meier
Alex Meier was involved in numerous tense and dramatic games for Eintracht. The striker registered 137 goals and 55 assists in 379 competitive games over the course of his Eagles career, which ended with victory in the DFB Cup in May 2018.
“I’m incredibly proud to have worn an Eintracht jersey for 14 years and eternally grateful to the club and their fans,” said Meier, while Eagles CEO Axel Hellmann added: “The name Alexander Meier is synonymous with the attributes of Eintracht Frankfurt – loyalty in good times and bad, an acute sense of tradition and giving everything for the success of the team.”
Game of the month: Farewell to a ‘football god’
Just how much Meier means to Eintracht, and vice versa, was demonstrated on 31 August at Deutsche Bank Park, which played host to the striker’s farewell match. “This day promises to be a real celebration and I can’t wait to see everyone who comes along and celebrates it with me,” the ‘football god’ told reporters before the game.
Number of the month: 14
As goes without saying, Meier wore his former number at Eintracht – 14 – on his final evening in the city forest. Fittingly, the 39-year-old also spent 14 years with the Eagle on his chest.
Goal of the month: Marcel Wenig
At the beginning of the month, Eintracht’s Under-21s marked their first home match with a comfortable 5-0 win over Viktoria Griesheim on Matchday 2 of the Hessenliga. Marcel Wenig netted the first goal of the reinstated U21 side, breaking the deadlock after just seven minutes.
Quote of the month:
We want to play an enthusiastic, passionate and emotional brand of football. The people who come to our stadium should want to support the team.
Eintracht Frankfurt Women coach Niko Arnautis ahead of the new Bundesliga season
