Eintracht Frankfurt is in the round of 16 of the Champions League. It’s historic because the club has never done that before. But now there is more to come.
Eintracht Frankfurt is now dreaming of a second FC Villarreal. The Spaniards sensationally reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. After the historic entry into the knockout phase of the premier class, Eintracht is hoping for a similar coup next year.
“They showed it,” said captain Sebastian Rode after the decisive 2-1 win at Sporting Lisbon late Tuesday evening. CEO Axel Hellmann put it in more detail. “Top 16 in Europe, and somehow on quiet soles such a dreamy Villarreal – that’s something I can definitely imagine,” said the 51-year-old.
More magical nights in the premier class?
Eintracht has big plans in Europe again. After the spectacular win in the Europa League last season, the Hessian Bundesliga club now wants to experience more magical nights in the premier class.
Thanks to the hard-earned victory in Lisbon, preliminary group D ended in second place. Daichi Kamada (62’/penalty) and Randal Kolo Muani (72′) turned the game around with their goals. Coach Oliver Glasner was then proud of how his team reacted to the weak first half.
“If you then show this will, this belief, this passion, then you’ll get lucky with the penalty kick,” said the Austrian about Kamada’s goal, who received the penalty after a handball from Sporting captain Sebastián Coates. “It’s amazing what the players do over and over again, how they deal with setbacks over and over again.” And how they are rewarded for it: because now games against European heavyweights like Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain are possible in the round of 16.
Rode: “Now there are only really big calibres”
“I would like to do without Man City,” Rode said jokingly about coach Pep Guardiola’s star squad. Otherwise, the Frankfurters have no wishes for the round of 16 games, which will be played between February 14th and March 15th.
“Now there are only really big calibers and world stars that are coming,” said Rode. “We’re not without a chance, but we’re definitely the outsiders.” Just like Villarreal FC last season.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
