Eintracht Frankfurt: The problem case Hinteregger – crowd favorite is weakening
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fromIngo Durstewitz
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Thomas Kilchenstein
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The faltering defender from Eintracht Frankfurt is again guilty of two goals, which is why coach Oliver Glasner is soon faced with a tricky decision
Frankfurt – Eintracht leader Martin Hinteregger, who is in a veritable form crisis, received the greatest support from his opponents. Max Kruse, the crook in the service of VfL Wolfsburg, almost felt sorry for the opponent, who had cleared him after 26 minutes on the edge of the penalty area, which encouraged referee Frank Willenborg to whistle a late penalty after intervention from Kölner Keller, which Kruse of course converted. Tough decision, thinks the striker, “50:50”, and in general: “If the referee had known that the foul was in the penalty area, he would not have whistled at first. That’s how he whistles and in the end he has to decide on a penalty.” Previously, Willenborg had called for a free kick.
One way or another, the penalty kick was the right decision, even if Kruse is probably more conflicted about his own perception and reports with refreshing honesty: “I make my distinctive hook and it just completely stands in my way. Of course he can’t vanish into thin air, I know that.” Of course, there is also the truth: there was no reason for Hinteregger to attack the opponent who was dribbling out of the penalty area so impetuously, that wasn’t particularly clever. And typical of the tottering colossus in the Frankfurt defense.
Eintracht Frankfurt: Glasner defends Hinteregger
The 29-year-old was also involved in Wolfsburg’s second goal in injury time, underestimated a long ball and headed it down the path of Dodi Lukebakio, who sent the amazingly uninspired Eintracht 2-0 down the boards. “Mistakes are part of the game,” said sporting director Markus Krösche. “I feel sorry for the boy, he was unlucky.”
And coach Oliver Glasner protects his defense chief as best he can. “I’m a long way from blaming Martin alone, I find that very superficial.” The football coach even brought Hinteregger’s neighbor Tuta on board. It was clear that Max Kruse would not sprint in the direction of the goal line, and there were clear instructions not to let a striker pull into the middle in such a situation. Tuta didn’t take that to heart, “he let himself be duped”. But not Tuta, but Hinteregger is slowly becoming a problem in Frankfurt.
Eintracht Frankfurt: No consideration for status
The Austrian owes too many goals, doesn’t seem fit, not even mentally, somehow loaded and burdened. He provides support for young defenders Tuta and Evan Ndicka, neither of whom seem much calmer when Makoto Hasebe, who is currently sidelined with a chest injury, plays. In addition, Hinteregger’s game opening is a nuisance, often enough he hits the ball high up in front. He embodies exactly the style that Eintracht Frankfurt should not cultivate. Players are encouraged to approach the build in a flat and structured manner.
The question now is how to proceed. Hasebe will certainly not be an alternative for the party on Saturday at 1.FC Köln. So will the crowd favorite play again despite his flawed performances? Or can Tuta or maybe even Stefan Ilsanker try his hand at headquarters? “Hinti has a high quality and is an important player,” says sporting director Krösche. “He gets our support.” Glasner doesn’t give the impression that he wants to drop his compatriot either. Sure, if he were to take him out of the team now, it would be a slap in the office for the reasonable Hinteregger. Affects professional footballers in particular with the clear performance principle. And Glasner pays little heed to the status or condition of other players. And with Hinteregger, the stopper who is no longer so unassailable? Tricky thing.