Despite 6:0: Eintracht coach Toppmöller warns against Helsinki
Head coach Dino Toppmöller has warned his team to take their opponents seriously ahead of the second leg of the Conference League tie at HJK Helsinki on Thursday (18:45/RTL+). "We should forget about the first leg and pay maximum attention to our opponents," said the 42-year-old coach, referring to the 6-0 win against the Finnish record champions in the first game. After all, almost exactly a year ago, Helsinki had only narrowly lost 2-1 at home to top Italian club AS Roma.
The Bundesliga club could take a big step towards the round of 16 with a win. With six points, the Hessians are in second place in Group G behind PAOK Thessaloniki (9) and ahead of FC Aberdeen and Helsinki (1). A win in Helsinki would secure Eintracht a place in the play-offs for a place in the last 16, where they would have to beat a third-placed team in the Europa League.
As group winners, Frankfurt would go straight through to the knockout round. The match against PAOK Thessaloniki on November 30 is likely to decide this. "The game is very important to us. We want to win, score points and finish first," said attacking midfielder Ansgar Knauff.
The 2022 Europa League winners will be without injured defensive players Robin Koch and Tuta. Chief defender Koch had injured his calf in training on Wednesday, one day before departure. The result of the examination was not yet known.
The Hessians completed their final training session at an international match for the first time in their opponents' stadium, which has artificial turf. "It's important that we train here again to get used to the conditions," said Knauff, who often played on artificial turf as a youth player. The ball rolls faster and bounces differently. It's a matter of getting used to it."
Eintracht Frankfurt needs to be cautious against HJK Helsinki in the Conference League, despite their 6-0 victory in the first leg. The Finnish side nearly defeated AS Roma at home last year, showcasing their ability to compete against top European teams.
In the Conference League, Eintracht Frankfurt is currently second in Group G with six points, and a win against HJK Helsinki could secure their place in the play-offs for the last 16, where they would face a third-placed team from the Europa League.
Source: www.dpa.com
