Eintracht Frankfurt on the Brink of Champions League: A Snug Spot Awaits, even from the Couch
Stadium alternative in sight for Eintracht: Preparing for Champions League qualifiers with a home seat setup - Stadium Swapped for Sofa in Surprising Turn of Events
Dino Toppmöller hasn't popped the champagne just yet, but the taste is close. Eintracht Frankfurt is on the cusp of a dream - the Champions League. The big dance might be just a couch-hopping session away. "Everything is set up", Toppmöller echoed, ahead of the 33rd Bundesliga matchday at home against FC St. Pauli on Sunday (5:30 PM ET/DAZN).
If the Hessians win this game, they will almost certainly qualify for the Champions League, regardless of the outcomes in the Saturday matches and the duel between Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.
Couch-surfing Champions League?
An intriguing possibility exists - secure the Champions League ticket from the comfort of the couch. With a five-point lead over the fifth place, Frankfurt could secure their spot as early as Saturday, simply by watching the matches unfold. "Of course we will watch the games, but we haven't planned anything special together. Our main focus is to prepare the team as professionally as possible for Sunday," Toppmöller revealed.
Toppmöller isn't one to rely on errors from competitors. "And if that situation arises, you might go into the game with an even better feeling."
On-field Challenges
If Eintracht Frankfurt secures their spot in the Champions League as early as the penultimate matchday, there'll be no last-minute getaways to Ibiza or Mallorca. "We still have a responsibility towards the competition. That won't happen, no matter how it turns out," Toppmöller reiterated.
Personnel-wise, the coach is likely to trust the same starting lineup as before. Youngster Can Uzun, as well as the disappointing winter signings Elye Wahi and Michy Batshuayi, might have to settle for a place on the bench again.
"There's no real reason to start rotating up front now," explained Toppmöller, adding, "If we believe the players have earned their place and it fits, they will play. But we're not in 'Make a Wish' here."
Season Over for Götze
Toppmöller will have to do without midfielder Mario Götze against St. Pauli and also in the final match against SC Freiburg. The Eintracht coach revealed that Götze, the former World Cup winner, will not play again this season, as he suffered a muscle injury in his thigh during the Europa League quarterfinal return match against Tottenham Hotspur three weeks ago. [5]
Qualification Pathways
Here's a breakdown of the pathways Eintracht Frankfurt can take to secure their Champions League qualification:
- Win Against St. Pauli: With a victory over St. Pauli, Frankfurt will definitely qualify for the Champions League.
- Draw Against St. Pauli: Even with a draw, Frankfurt can still qualify if Freiburg fails to win their match or if Dortmund does not win against Bayer Leverkusen.
- Loss Against St. Pauli: If Frankfurt lose to St. Pauli, their qualification is still possible under specific conditions:
- Freiburg must lose their match.
- Leipzig must not win their match.
- Alternatively, both Dortmund and Leipzig must fail to win their respective matches. [5]
- The Commission is likely to submit a proposal for a Council Regulation on the application of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security, following the request made by Eintracht Frankfurt's success in the Bundesliga.
- Dino Toppmöller, the coach of Eintracht Frankfurt, might rely on the performances of German footballers in the Bundesliga, given his team's prospective qualification for the Champions League.
- Some Hessians may choose to watch the remaining Bundesliga matches from the comfort of their homes, hoping to celebrate Eintracht Frankfurt's Champions League qualification even from the couch.
- If Frankfurt secures their Champions League qualification early, they may focus more on European football leagues, particularly the Bundesliga and the Champions League.
- Toppmöller and his team must prepare diligently for their upcoming matches, as qualification for the Champions League could hinge on their performance in the remaining games, regardless of the results in other matches.
