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7.03.2020Bundesliga

Hradecky: ‘Should enjoy playing so many games’

Bayer 04 goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky today faces his former club Eintracht Frankfurt (kick-off: 15.30 CET). Ahead of the Bundesliga clash at the BayArena, the Finn talks about reaching the DFB Cup semi-finals, his time at Eintracht and the forthcoming challenges for the Werkself...
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Lukas, congratulations on reaching the DFB Cup semi-finals. What's your view of the game?
We didn't play well in the first half and we didn't apply enough pressure. We wanted to show what we could do in the second half and we played better football. That was working before the sending off. After the two yellow cards for the Union player, it was easier for us to get behind their defence. That meant we could turn the game round.

Frankfurt also come to the BayArena boosted by the win against Bremen. How do you think you need to play to win at home?
In lots of games over the past few weeks, we've learned you have to give your all to get a result. Eintracht aren't doing so well in the league at the moment but that doesn't make them any less dangerous. They’ve produced some great performances in the Europa League. It will be a tough game and they will definitely want to beat us.

You were in goal for Eintracht for three years. Is this game always special for you?
Of course, and it will always be like that. It's good to see how Eintracht have got on since I left. They're playing good football and their current position in the table doesn't reflect the quality of the team. I'm proud of my three years at Frankfurt and the club will always have a place in my heart.

Are you still in contact with anybody at Frankfurt?
Yes, we write to each other from time to time. For example, the new goalkeeping coach Jan Zimmerman is a very good friend of mine and there are also a couple of guys from the coaching staff. There's still very good contact.

Playing in three competitions carries on for you, and after the game against Frankfurt there is the Europa League clash in Glasgow. What will be most important in the next few weeks?
There are lots of important games coming up and there's not a lot of time to recover. We can't afford to ease off now, quite the contrary: We have to be positive and should enjoy playing so many games.

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