MANAGER INTERVIEW
In the usual pre match press conference manager Michael Skibbe today offered his views ahead of the Bundesliga start after the winter break. Eintracht will host Hannover 96 on Sunday (kick off 15.30h CET).
Mr Skibbe, will Georgios Tzavellas play against Hannover?
I do not know yet. In the recent weeks he did not train properly due to the long injury related break. There is a deficit in fitness so I leave it open for now. But I am satisfied that he was able to train as usual today at least.
The big question is – who will play in central defense?
Ricardo Clark is likely to play. It is possible that Kevin Kraus will start next to him, but it is not definite yet.
Did you already talk to Kevin Kraus about his possible Bundesliga debut?
No. But I think he might sense or guess that he could be on the pitch. We do believe in Kevin and Ricardo, both played well in Turkey against Cologne [during the training camp last week].
Did you show footage of the 1-2 first leg defeat against 96 to the team?
No. But I did mention that game. Especially the defeats against Hannover and Cologne during the first half of the season annoyed me, in both games we were the better team before half time.
What do you expect from Hannover?
I do not think about their line up. We will focus on ourselves and our game. Fact is Hannover are not fourth in the table for no reason. It will be a tough task for us.
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT – HANNOVER 96: THE PREVIEW
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
EINTRACHT: Nikolov – Jung, Clark, Kraus, Tzavellas – Schwegler, Meier – Ochs, Altintop, Köhler – Gekas.
HANNOVER: Fromlowitz – Cherundolo, Haggui, Pogatetz, Schulz – Schmiedebach, Pinto – Stindl, Rausch – Ya Konan, Schlaudraff.
ATTENDANCE
Around 33,000 are expected from ticket pre sales. Ticket offices at the stadium are open on Sunday.
COLOURS
The Eagles will play in traditional black and red, Hannover in beige and white.
TV
The game will be broadcasted internationally – potential Bundesliga TV stations around the globe showing it can be found HERE.
LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY
On www.eintracht.de you can follow all events LIVE in the English language live text commentary. Right after kick-off all shots, goals, cards, free-kicks, offsides, substitutions etc are posted HERE.
WEATHER
Acording to the forecast it will be sunshiny with clouds in Frankfurt on Sunday. Highs around 10 degrees Celsius.
TEAM HEAD TO HEAD
- In the past 25 years Hannover have won just one of eight away games at Frankfurt (1-0 in February 2006, 4 defeats and 3 draws in the remaining 7 games).
- Of their 20 Bundesliga home matches against Hannover, Frankfurt have lost only three while winning almost 50 percent (9 wins, 8 draws).
- Sunday’s game marks the 42nd clash between the two sides in the Bundesliga, with Hannover holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record: the North Germans have kept the upper hand 15 times, Eintracht only 12 times (14 draws).
- Eintracht have completed their best first leg to a Bundesliga campaign in 17 years - Hannover are currently recording their best campaign in Bundesliga history.
