Eintracht Frankfurt have fallen below expectations in the Bundesliga in recent weeks. Saturday’s 1-1 draw with FC Augsburg was the latest in a string of frustrating results for the Eagles, but they are determined to put their league form behind them when they visit VfB Stuttgart in the DFB Cup semi-finals on Wednesday evening (kick-off 20:45 CEST). Victory for Oliver Glasner’s side would secure a third final appearance since 2017.
“We’re going to roll up our sleeves”
“We’re on a very rocky path at the moment which is knocking us off our balance, but we’re going to roll up our sleeves and try to move those rocks out of our way, no matter how big they are,” said Glasner. “We have an opportunity to do just that in Stuttgart.”
The Eintracht head coach is eager to turn “dejection back into euphoria” at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, and Markus Krösche agrees. “We need to get through this together and show a completely different face against Stuttgart,” said the board member for sport.
We’re going to roll up our sleeves and try to move those rocks out of our way, no matter how big they are.
Head coach Oliver Glasner
“Showing character” the key
Eintracht’s fondness for cup football has served them well this season, not least in the 4-2 last-16 victory over SV Darmstadt 98 and the 2-0 quarter-final triumph against Union Berlin. “We know we’re capable of producing a different performance, particularly when it comes to knockout football,” said goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. “We can put a lot of things right by reaching the final.”
Trapp knows the Eagles will need to show “character” to achieve their “big objective” of a trip to Berlin, but confidence is in strong supply both on and off the pitch. “The lads have great mentality and quality,” added Krösche. “I’m expecting them to show that on the pitch and win in Stuttgart.”
VfB unbeaten under Hoeneß
In VfB, Eintracht are up against a side who are unbeaten in five games under new head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, a run which includes the 1-0 triumph over Bundesliga 2 outfit 1. FC Nürnberg in the quarter-finals. “If we play to our strengths on the pitch, we’re capable of reaching the final,” concluded Trapp.
Eintracht know what they have to do. Forza SGE!
Match info
Kick-off: Wednesday 3 May, 20:45 CEST, Cup, semi-final
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart.
