NSThere are limits to a soccer coach during a match. It’s his training zone lines. He is only allowed to stay within this, even if some see the limitation as more of a recommendation. Oliver Glasner of Eintracht Frankfurt was no longer in his area in the 68th minute of his team’s Europa League match at Olympiacos. Once again, his country ruined a promising situation with a sloppy play. The ball, which flew, went towards the coach who shot it away with a shot. Glasner ran out of his training area in an untamed roar.
The Austrian was a professional player in his home country and played more than 500 matches. So he knows how to handle the bullet. He knows the consequences of crossing these borders. He accepted the referee’s yellow card. Instead, it was apparently about the effect of his explosion, which, in addition to a warning, also led to boos and whistles from Greek fans. But his players also seemed to admire their coach’s wrath. Because Glasner is usually a quiet actor. But he simply could not please the performance of his players.
Indeed, the slip did not fail to have its effect. Eintracht pulled a bit and came in stoppage time for a successful attack on the side through which he was passing a crucial bad pass twenty minutes ago. Substitute Jesper Lindstrom unleashed the ball after winning the ball from Ivan Ndica and finding Jens Peter Hugh, who also played with a cross pass, graced the ball past the goalkeeper to score the 2-1 winner. Previously, Youssef Elaraby had put Piraeus ahead (12), Daichi Kamada equalized immediately (17).
“it’s a wonderful feeling”
With their third win in their fourth game of the Europa League season, the Frankfurt side qualified ahead of schedule for the knockout stage next year. With another win, about three weeks from now against Royal Antwerp or on December 9 in Istanbul Fenerbahce, they could secure the top spot and move straight to the Round of 16. The situation has been modified before this season. The second in the group must survive a home and away duel. On the spring calendar, which is already dense, skipping a lap would be a welcome relief.
“Now we want to win the group,” said sporting director Marcus Croce, knowing what the reward would be for first place. “I am happy for the team, it was the success of the team. This victory is very important, especially after the difficult days.” The coach, who was angry before, was also enthusiastic. “It feels great,” Glasner said. “We are very happy that we beat a good opponent in this cauldron and that we achieved our first goal – winter in the Europa League – so early. Now it is important that you take that momentum with you.”
But the late winning goal painted some flaws in the harmony game. Because the performance at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium was not good at all. Defending in the five-man series doesn’t look safe, but it was fortunate that Kevin Trapp reacted brilliantly, such as against Georgios Masuras with his foot defense (36th place), or that the Greeks shot very poorly, such as Henry Onekoro (57th place). There were always holes in the midfield. The attack remained completely harmless, apart from a tie by Kamada and the winning goal from Hauge. In addition, there were a number of bad passports and misunderstandings.
The first goal was achieved in the European Cup, but there is still a lot of work for Glasner. Because the record in the German League is bad. Only one in ten matches has been won, at least at Bayern Munich. Six draws and three defeats lead to nine points and 15th place. This is not Eintracht’s claim. If the bottom of the table, Greuther Fürth, is supposed to lose again on Sunday, as after the home win over Piraeus, when another rookie VfL Bochum lost 2-0, a bleak winter in the Bundesliga table basement threatens. The highlights of Europe don’t help here.
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Before the match in Fürth, personnel issues arose. In Piraeus, Philip Kostik failed with ankle and Achilles tendon problems. Ajdin Hrustic had ankle issues, Gonçalo Paciência had hip damage, and Eric Dorm had digestive issues. Defense coach Martin Hinterger has taken a break as a recurring player. “All the boys are very happy, but they are also tired,” Glasner said. “One or the other extends over the last point. Now is the time to pack your last stamina before the international break and enjoy the ecstasy with you.” If necessary, with the help of a spree from the coach.
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