BARCELONA. If it can’t be the soccer Champions League, then the big FC Barcelona wants to win the title in the Europa League at least one floor below. That is the claim of coach Xavi, under whose direction success has returned to the Catalans. They are unbeaten in 15 matches in a row, the most recent defeat was on January 20 (2:3 against Athletic Bilbao).
Today (9 p.m., ServusTV) the second in the Spanish league has to be prepared for bitter resistance in the Camp Nou. Eintracht Frankfurt arrives with 30,000 fans and a 1-1 draw from the first leg of the quarter-finals to trip up the “giant”.
The great performance a week ago nourishes optimism for a sensation, Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner seems to have found the right recipe against the pass machine. “We have laid the foundation for progress. We now have to step it up a notch,” said the 47-year-old Riedauer. Even the 2-1 home defeat in the dress rehearsal against SC Freiburg in the league isn’t able to dampen confidence. The pressure is on FC Barcelona, who are expected to claim a comfortable home win.
“A Special Story”
Frankfurt hasn’t won a single one of the last six competitive games, but the performances were still decent. This was also due to the rock in the surf, defense chief Martin Hinteregger, for whom the former Eintracht legionnaire and current ServusTV expert Jan Age Fjörtoft rolled out the red carpet. “Martin is the bridge between the fans and the players. Frankfurt is a very passionate football city – and that’s where you need guys. Hinteregger is a real guy.”
The performance at the Camp Nou, one of the largest football stages in the world (capacity 99,354 spectators), is not just a dream come true for the ÖFB team defender. Glasner’s anticipation of this special experience is huge. In contrast to December 2015, when the then LASK coach and his family enjoyed a tour of the stadium, this time he is allowed to enter the lawn before and after the game.
“It’s a special story. Of course you think that the difficult path of becoming a head coach yourself has paid off,” said Glasner a week ago in an interview with OÖN sports editor Harald Bartl.
Laimer and Trauner in focus
RB Leipzig are also aiming for the semifinals in Bergamo today (6.45 p.m., ORF 1) with midfielder Konrad Laimer, who is in top form. The Saxons, who haven’t lost a single one of their last 14 games, are preparing for a hot dance after the 1-1 draw at home to Atalanta.
Feyenoord defender Gernot Trauner is also counting on this in the Europa Conference League in Prague. The LASK conqueror Slavia, equipped with lightning-fast offensive players, achieved a 3:3 in the first duel in Rotterdam. (Alex)
Source: Nachrichten
