Karim Matmour - A Heavenlike Debut
With 10 minutes to go the Algerian international came on for Caio last Friday during the match away to Fürth, the score was 2-2 in the first fixture of the season 2011/12. With one minute to go Matmour scored the match winning goal in his debut for the Eagles and a successful start to the campaign was in the bag.
'Batmour' as he was nicknamed by fans has gained 2. Bundesliga experience between 2005 and 2008 for SC Freiburg (79 games / 10 goals). In 2008/09 he joined Borussia Mönchengladbach where he featured in 77 Bundesliga matches (4 goals). He won 25 caps for Algeria (2 goals), amongst them five matches during the African Cup of Nations in 2010 (including the semi final) and all three group games for Algeria at the World Cup 2010.
Karim Matmour - 2010/11 stats (Bundesliga / Mönchengladbach)
Appearances / 18
Starts / 3
Hit Woodwork / 1
Passing Accuracy / 77,5%
Assists / 1
Chances Created / 6
Match stats v Greuther Fürth
Minutes played / 10
Touches / 8
Passing Accuracy / 75%
Shots / 1
Goals / 1
Dudda and Hien - Two Young Disciples
Two players who have run through Eintracht's youth teams since 2007 now joined the first squad to gain experience in 2. Bundesliga surroundings, matches and training:
Julian Dudda: 18 year old central defender (1,93m). Had his Bundesliga debut last season v 1. FC Köln. He moved up from the Under-19.
Alexander Hien: 18 year old defender. Born in Heppenheim (as was F1 champion and Eintracht supporter Sebastian Vettel). Also moved up from the Under-19.
Return to the Eagle's Nest
Various players return to Frankfurt after loan spells.
Marcos Alvarez (19 year old striker, back from FC Bayern München's Under-23). At Eintracht between 2007 until the start of 2011. One Bundesliga appearance, numerous caps for German youth teams (Under-16 - Under-20).
Habib Bellaid (25 year old central defender, back from CS Sedan Ardennes). Joined Eintracht in 2008 from Racing Strasbourg, featured in 22 Bundesliga matches. On loan spells since 2009 (Racing Strasbourg, US Boulogne, CS Sedan Ardennes). Numerous caps for France youth teams (Under-16 to Under-20, 16 Under-21 matches), 1 cap for Algeria.
Nikola Petkovic (25 year old defender, back from Al-Ahli). Joined the Eagles in 2009 (9 Bundesliga appearances), Serbian Under-21 international.
Ümit Korkmaz (back from VFL Bochum). See also 'New Eagles Part II: The Austrian Gang'
Sources: Wikipedia, Opta Sports, weltfussball.de
