Eintracht Frankfurt’s Strategy to Conquer Ajax: A Pathway Back to Glory!

Eintracht Frankfurt is poised to emerge from the Bundesliga doldrums and rekindle the European fervour as they square off against Ajax Amsterdam this Thursday at 6.45 PM local time (available via the hr-iNFO Audiostream). Having secured a 2-1 advantage in the first leg, the Hessen side holds the key to advancing to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. "I expect us to build on the performance we delivered in the first match," remarked Eintracht manager Dino Toppmüller during Wednesday's press conference. That said, the team suffered a disappointing 1-2 defeat in their last Bundesliga outing against Union Berlin. "It was a bitter pill for all of us to swallow," Toppmüller conceded, adding, "but our focus remains firmly ahead." The manager also highlighted a crucial takeaway from the recent loss: "The most important lesson is that regardless of the scoreline, you must maintain full concentration for the entire 90 minutes. We were in control during the first half, but that’s simply not enough to win in the Bundesliga," he summarised. Ahead of the clash with Ajax, he anticipates a tightly contested match, emphasising that there can be no room for complacency. There’s a glimmer of hope for revitalising the squad’s morale through a victory that could propel them further in Europe. "This is undoubtedly an opportunity for us to reignite the excitement. We're aware of what’s at stake," Toppmüller noted, stressing the importance of making a statement for the weeks to come. While thoughts about potential next opponents—either Tottenham or Alkmaar—linger in the background, Toppmüller insists the focus is resolutely on Ajax. "We're all fired up and eager to progress," asserted Ansgar Knauff, who played a pivotal role in securing the win in Amsterdam. Defensive leader Robin Koch returns after missing the last match due to illness, although Arthur Theate's participation remains uncertain, and Nnamdi Collins is ruled out through suspension.