Hesse: Eintracht Frankfurt in "functioning mode" to Augsburg

Eintracht Frankfurt made history by reaching the round of 16 in the Champions League.

Hesse: Eintracht Frankfurt in "functioning mode" to Augsburg

Eintracht Frankfurt made history by reaching the round of 16 in the Champions League. Coach Glasner is now hoping that his team will find the focus in the league against Augsburg.

Frankfurt (dpa/lhe) - The start of the last English week before the World Cup is like a grab bag for Eintracht Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner. "I'm curious myself how far we are," said Glasner before the Bundesliga guest appearance at FC Augsburg on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky).

After reaching the round of 16 in the Champions League through the away win at Sporting Lisbon (2-1) last Tuesday, the Hessians want to focus fully on the final stretch of the league before the winter break. His team is physically ready for it, Glasner emphasized on Friday. But after the next big milestone in the club's history, will his team be able to mentally switch back to everyday Bundesliga life?

"It's not that easy to shake it all off and then find that focus again. But it's our job and we'll do everything we can," said the 48-year-old Austrian. "I also know that the players really want that."

Even after 45 of 48 games in this calendar year, the players are highly motivated. "On the day off yesterday, Evan Ndicka and Almamy Touré came towards me in the weight room. Me: 'Guys, not too much, we'll play on Saturday.' They: 'No coach, only 20, 25 minutes.'" Glasner said and joked : "The players are hungry, even though they've had a lot to eat lately."

Ironically, Glasner has to do without the goal-hungry Daichi Kamada against Augsburg. The Japanese, who scored his seventh goal of the season last matchday, is out ill. "I was thinking of giving him a break, but then nature made the decision for me," said Glasner.

Timothy Chandler is also absent due to illness. Both are plagued with a stomach flu. Glasner is still hoping for a return for the duo in the home game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim next Wednesday. "We're all in functioning mode right now. You're in the tunnel and rattling from game to game," Glasner said.

His team still has three competitive games to play. With an ambitious goal: "We want nine points," emphasized the coach. The first three counters should be in Augsburg. "It will be important to accept the intensity, duel and second balls and to be more alert than the opponent," said Glasner.

After all, the Hessians were able to win three of their last four Bundesliga away games and scored as many points in the five away games as in the seven home games (10 each). The only away defeat of the season for the Glasner-Elf came on the 9th match day in Bochum (0:3), at the bottom of the table at the time.

In Augsburg, Eintracht wants to act better, especially with long and high balls. "I'm excited and curious to see whether we'll do better in the header duels and second balls so that we don't have any problems and instead capitalize on them ourselves," said Glasner. He is confident about the trip to the Bavarian Swabians: "I have a very good feeling because we've been playing at a good level for a long time and seem to be very stable."