Eintracht Frankfurt is playing internationally again. A reason to be happy, especially for the fans – even if many cannot see the game at all.

Frankfurt am Main – The season has so far been anything but smooth for Eintracht Frankfurt *. Even if they have only suffered one defeat in the Bundesliga, Oliver Glasner’s * team has not yet managed to win in the past eight competitive games. That should change in the Europa League tonight. In the fight for a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League is already on the second group matchday at Royal Antwerp.

On the Main, one also hopes for a liberation. It should now be on the European stage in Antwerp. Trainer Glasner is forward-looking. “We go into the game to win it,” declared Glasner dutifully, saying what the fans want to hear – and what every coach says before every game.

Eintracht Frankfurt in Antwerp: City issues a residence ban

Away games in the European Cup were mostly a celebration for the supporters of the Frankfurt in the past. Whether in Italy with Lazio or Inter Milan, in London with Arsenal or Chelsea, in Portugal or Cyprus. Thousands of fans always traveled with the team to support them with a powerful voice. Tickets were then also very happy to get hold of on site, if you didn’t have one, you got one. Where there was a will, a way was found.

Tonight it WILL be a little different, in all likelihood. The city of Antwerp has issued a ban on all Eintracht supporters who do not have a valid ticket for the parties in a specially marked area around the stadium, which corresponds roughly to a “ban mile”. Trailers who do not have a European COVID certificate (negative evidence – vaccinated / recovered / tested) are also excluded. Spontaneous trips to Belgium are unlikely to happen, and this time it is not necessarily Corona * to blame.

Eintracht Frankfurt in Antwerp: The game is only broadcast on the network

But also for those who want to die who want to watch the game on TV at home, things are anything but rosy. Because live on RTL, the rights holder on free TV, the match between Celtic Glasgow and Bayer Leverkusen will be shown. Eintracht fans are also forced to use RTL’s internet provider – the game is broadcast live in Germany exclusively on the streaming payment portal TVNow. Those who are not willing to take out a subscription for football in addition to DAZN and SKY literally look into the tube. Just like dying, whose internet connection is so modest that moving images over the internet are no joy. Even if the first win of the season should jump out for Eintracht in the end.

Why RTL saw itself prompted to take this step remains in the dark. Sure, it will have played a role that the broadcaster knows that Eintracht Frankfurt supporters are not only numerous, but also willing to spend good money on a few games of their team. Most likely more than the Bayer Leverkusen fans. Secure income through longer-term subscriptions seem to be more lucrative than possible reach in free TV. It is understandable that fans are increasingly expressing their displeasure with this policy on social media. Especially since there are now rumors that the SGE’s next game against Olympiacos Piraeus will also be hidden behind TVNow’s paywall. However, this has not yet been confirmed by the broadcaster.

Eintracht Frankfurt in Antwerp: If you want to see, you have to hear

For those who want to see the game live, there is still the good old radio report. The Hessischer Rundfunk accompanies the game live on hrinfo. And who knows – if you don’t win again, it might even be better in the end not to watch what happened when. At some point, a Eintracht fan’s ability to suffer also ends. (Stefan Krieger) *fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.

List of rubric lists: © Arne Dedert / dpa