Matarazzo: “We need good, quick attacking play”

Pellegrino Matarazzo on…

…the opposition:

“Eintracht have conceded the fewest goals, they defend compactly, the back three cleans up a lot of plays, plus they have a good goalkeeper. Frankfurt play in a very calm and controlled manner, the team also try to score goals via lots of ball possession. That’s how they manage to control the opponent at times. An important point for us: if we want to score goals, we need good, quick attacking play and we have to be determined and dominant. If we can manage that and know that there will also be phases in which we have to defend more compactly, we will be successful.”

…the defensive line-up:

“We have sufficient options despite the absences. Kevin Akpoguma is in very strong form; Attila Szalai is in a good match rhythm and is also an option for the left side. That’s the advantage of a broad squad, we can react.”

…the international period:

“I have been following the boys’ games and have been in contact with them. The last ones are returning today. All of them have come back healthy except for some minor aches and pains, which is always important. The players who were here have also had two decent weeks of training. Yesterday you could sense great joy in the dressing room when the players came back. You can feel the bond within the squad, which is a very good sign.”

…Robert Skov’s form:

“He has an outstanding left foot with sharpness and precision. Overall, he is developing outstandingly and is on a good path to finding the right balance for his game. I’m happy for him, he’s very capable of learning and intelligent. We have good communication and it’s fun to work with him.”

The personnel situation:

“Dennis Geiger is still in rehabilitation training, but is not yet doing any sprints. Stanley Nsoki is having problems with his patella tendon and is back in running training. But he will only start working with the ball again next week. Marco John has suffered a partial cruciate ligament tear in training. He will be operated soon and will unfortunately be out an extended period. Ozak Kabak may miss out until the end of the next international break due to his injury shoulder. But we’re optimistic that it will be quicker than initially feared. Andrej Kramarić remains sidelined after a knock to the back of his thigh. There’s still a question mark over Kevin Vogt, who is suffering from adductor problems. But we hope that he can be an option. It is also a positive that Bambasé Conté is fully integrated into training again.”

The opposition’s form:

Prior to the international period, Frankfurt won 2-0 against 1. FC Heidenheim. That has been Eintracht’s only win in their last four competitive games. SGE do have the division’s best defence in the Bundesliga, but Dino Toppmöller’s charges have managed to score only six goals.

Head-to-head record:

The record is completely even. TSG have won 10 matches, while Eintracht have been victorious 10 times. However, Hoffenheim have been the victors in the last two games at the PreZero Arena.