Following the 1-1 draw in Thursday's semi-final first leg against Chelsea, Frankfurt have every chance of going through to the Europa League final. Eintracht have enjoyed some magical nights in the competition so far beating top European sides Olympic Marseille, Lazio, Inter Milan and, most recently, Benfica. In the midst of this European euphoria, Frankfurt have recently failed to achieve positive results in the league. After an outstanding start to the second half of the season with six wins on the bounce, Eintracht have only picked up two points from the last three games in the league. Nevertheless, Frankfurt are still in pole position to qualify for the Champions League next season for the first time in the club's history. The lead over rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen is currently three points and the Frankfurt club also have a better goal difference than the two teams from the Rhine. But Sunday’s game could still be very significant in determining the outcome of this season's league campaign – including for Bayer 04.
The, at times, thrilling attacking football shown by Frankfurt this season is mainly associated with three players who form a physical and technically impressive offensive trio: Luka Jovic, Ante Rebic and Sebastien Haller. While Rebic missed the first leg against Chelsea due to suspension and is therefore well rested for the game against Bayer 04, Frankfurt have worries about central striker Haller. The Frenchman has been sidelined since the start of April with a stomach muscle injury that may require an operation, and that would mean an early end to his season. To avoid that, Haller has even visited a specialist in Austria. That makes it clear: It is not easy for Frankfurt to replace the striker. Equally important for the intensive game under coach Adi Hütter are the two wingers Filip Kostic (pictured above on the left next to Luka Jovic) and Danny da Costa, who started his career at Bayer 04. Both players are responsible for the whole of their flanks and their dynamism and running ability are key elements in the success of Eintracht this season.
There is a huge question over Haller playing against the Werkself and his power up front has clearly been missing recently. Midfielder Mijat Gacinovic is also sidelined with a muscle problem. In addition to these issues for the squad there is also a lack of vitality due to the large number competitive matches and that has affected Eintracht's recent performances. After Europa League battles that cost nerves and power, Frankfurt have rarely played with freedom in the past few weeks unlike much of the Bundesliga season before that. Players like Rebic, Kostic and da Costa have played in nearly every game and have recently suffered due to a lack of energy. At least the one-match ban for Rebic gives him the chance to rest ahead of the game against Bayer 04.
First, lifting the DFB Cup, now the Europa League semi-finals at least and, under certain circumstances, the first ever qualification for the Champions League next season. There could hardly be more excitement in Frankfurt. The euphoria of the fans has spilled over onto the pitch and the supporters have been a big plus for the team. With this European run and the associated confidence levels, Frankfurt are currently able to win every game – and achieve a lot in the future: Players like Jovic, Rebic and Haller are sought-after and that could bring a lot of money into the club. Eintracht Frankfurt have the potential to be able to compete for European competitions over the long term.
Where Eintracht will end up this season depends to a large extent on the result against the Werkself. If Frankfurt secure an away win then they have every chance of qualifying for the Champions League otherwise it could be a tough battle for the team from Hessen. Mainz, who are already safe, visit the Commerzbank Arena next week but Frankfurt are away to Bayern Munich on the last day of the season with FCB still possibly involved in the title race. Frankfurt would like to have fourth place secured before the last matchday. Therefore, they have to get a positive result on Sunday.
The Bayer 04 players were put through their paces at the Werkstatt – the club’s rehabilitation and training centre – on Sunday as they completed the first and main part of this year’s performance diagnostics. New signings Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Axel Tape, as well as players returning from their holidays, all did the customary medical and athletic tests.
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The team departs for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday for the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour 2025 from July 14-24. The preseason journey marks a change from recent training camps in the Austrian Alps and Black Forest and we caught up with CEO Fernando Carro to ask him about this summer's visit to Brazil.
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Malik Tillman and the USA could not quite achieve the hoped-for big win in their own country. Last Monday’s final in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Houston ended up in a 2-1 defeat for the hosts against Mexico. But the Bayer 04 new signing can be very happy with the course of the tournament and his own performances. Tillman was in the starting line-up for all six games. That concluded an impressive season for him after winning the Eredivisie title in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. Bayer04.de profiles the 23-year-old new signing.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the USA international Malik Tillman. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder joins the Werkself from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. Tillman, with German roots and born in Nuremberg, has a contract at Leverkusen to 30 June 2030. He scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 34 games for PSV last season. Three of those goals and two assists were in six matches in the UEFA Champions League.
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