With a snack in hand, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Mario Götze chatted in the stadium catacombs with Augsburg manager Stefan Reuter. “I paid him a big compliment for his sensational development and congratulated him on a very strong season,” the 1990 soccer world champion told Reuter after talking to the hero of Rio de Janeiro 2014.
“For me, Mario Götze is an absolute world-class player, the way he moves between the lines is impressive.”
“The reaction of the team was outstanding again”
Götze was not the match winner. But five days before the German World Cup squad was announced by national coach Hansi Flick, he showed once again how valuable he could be in Qatar with his intuition and ball security. Augsburg coach Enrico Maassen praised the 30-year-old playmaker as a “pressing breaker”.
Götze’s Frankfurters, on the other hand, underlined their international ambitions after their first entry into the round of 16 of the Champions League in a 2-1 (1-1) win against FC Augsburg. “I’m very happy and very satisfied with the win,” said Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner. “The reaction of the team was outstanding again.”
First hit in seconds
Under-21 European champion Mergim Berisha gave Augsburg a rocket start in front of 30,007 spectators with his third goal of the season after just 35 seconds. Frankfurt’s captain Sebastian Rode (13th) escaped guard Florian Niederlechner in the first 20 minutes and scored the equalizer after a cross from Eric Dina Ebimbe. Ansgar Knauff (64th), who came on as a substitute at half-time, was successful after a corner from the back for sovereign guests.
“I’m very happy, it was our 20th competitive game in the last three months,” emphasized Glasner. The hosts, on the other hand, are increasingly under pressure shortly before the Qatar break after their fifth winless game.
The World Cup show skating was particularly true for Götze, but also for an outsider like Berisha. The Augsburg loanee from Fenerbahce Istanbul could almost have followed up after their false start in the 12th minute, but they got caught by Tuta at the penalty spot. Berisha is back on form after a dip with a suspension and an ankle problem.
Krösche: Götze is extremely important for Eintracht
This also applies to Götze. “It’s ultimately not my decision, it’s Hansi’s and Mario’s too, you have to be honest,” Frankfurt’s sports director Markus Krösche told Sky TV before the game about a possible nomination of the World Cup final scorer eight years ago .
In terms of performance, Götze is currently one of the best attacking midfielders in the Bundesliga. “That’s just the way it is,” said Krösche and described Götze, who last played in the DFB dress five years ago, as an extremely important factor for the Eintracht game. Götze initiated the equalizer by sending Dina Ebimbe down the right flank.
Augsburg’s Rafal Gikiewicz, who returned to the goal after suffering a severe thigh contusion, missed the lead just before half-time. After a cross from Berisha to Ermedin Demirovic, who had prepared the 1-0, Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp (42nd) fended off with his right hand from five meters.
Eintracht cleverly varied the pace. She also came to further conclusions, driven by the playful and ball-safe Götze. After Knauff’s 2-1, striker Randal Kolo Muani (76′) had already rounded Gikiewicz, who was not always safe, but only hit the side netting.
