BERLIN: Despite their best Bundesliga season in decades, Eintracht Frankfurt know only something close to a perfect performance will help topple league leaders Bayern Munich on Sunday.
With 22 of 34 games played this Bundesliga campaign, Frankfurt sit third and are on track for their first top-four finish since the 1992-93 season.
Frankfurt’s 2022 Europa League win meant a first-ever Champions League participation.
Another crack at the European elite from finishing in the top four this season would be a just reward for Dino Toppmoeller’s impressive side, who have rebounded despite the loss of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City.
Up next is a trip to Bayern, who are eight points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and on track to win back the Bundesliga title.
Frankfurt will be the underdogs on Sunday but have recent form against the German giants.
Frankfurt held Bayern to a 3-3 draw in October, making them one of only four teams alongside Leverkusen, Mainz and Borussia Dortmund who have taken points off the league leaders this season.
Bayern may have won only one of their past four against Frankfurt, but Eagles captain Kevin Trapp was not getting ahead of himself on Thursday.
“We are third and Bayern are 13 points ahead of us, that speaks volumes.
Trapp said the visitors “must get close to perfection in order to get a point or better there.”
Bayern may be sailing in the league but they come into Sunday’s game after two straight draws and Trapp said the hosts will fight hard “so that a crisis isn’t declared in Munich.”
Bayern look set to be without star striker Harry Kane, who was subbed off at half-time in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Celtic.
Frankfurt have their own injury woes, with German defender Robin Koch out and midfielder Mario Goetze in doubt with illness.
Toppmoeller said Friday his side needs “a good plan, a top performance and a bit of luck,” along with cool heads, with the coach calling on his charges to exhibit “a high tolerance for frustration.”
Elsewhere, Leverkusen travel to last-placed Holstein Kiel hoping to keep their slim hopes of defending their title alive.
Coach Xabi Alonso he knew the odds of overtaking Bayern, who they will meet in the Champions League last 16 after Friday’s draw, were slim, but stranger things had happened in football.
“We’re not looking so far (into the future)... Everything can happen. There are still many games. There’s time for anything.”
After establishing himself alongside striker Serhou Guirassy as Dortmund’s attacking threats early this season, English winger Jamie Gittens has hit a lull in form.
The 20-year-old has not scored for nine games dating back to mid-January.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac urged patience with the young winger, telling reporters “Jamie has developed really well, he’s playing intensively and we need to find a balance.
“I’m very happy with Jamie, but you understand there can also be a bit of a dip now and again.”
Joshua Kimmich has played every minute of Bayern Munich’s 22 league games this season — a total of 1,980 minutes plus stoppage time in each match — the only player from the league leaders to do so.
Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has 12 goals in 21 league games this season.
Borussia Dortmund have faced Union Berlin 13 times in all competitions but have never had a draw, winning nine and losing four.
Buoyant Frankfurt aim for ‘perfection’ against league leaders Bayern
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Buoyant Frankfurt aim for ‘perfection’ against league leaders Bayern
- With 22 of 34 games played this Bundesliga campaign, Frankfurt sit third and are on track for their first top-four finish since the 1992-93 season
- Another crack at the European elite from finishing in the top four this season would be a just reward for Dino Toppmoeller’s impressive side
‘Honor of a lifetime’: Kash Shaikh to step down as chairman and CEO of Baseball United
- Baseball United co-founder led the league for nearly four years from its inception through its inaugural season
- Kash Shaikh: It’s been the honor of a lifetime to carry Baseball United from dream to reality alongside so many dedicated and passionate people
DUBAI: Kash Shaikh, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Baseball United, will step down as chairman and CEO from March 1, the league announced on Wednesday.
Shaikh has guided Baseball United since its founding in 2022, launching the first professional baseball league in the history of the Middle East and South Asia, headquartered in Dubai.
Baseball United board members paid tribute to Shaikh, saying that under his leadership the league had built a global brand and fanbase, executed historic events, constructed the region’s first professional baseball ballpark, partnered with international broadcasters and sponsors, introduced regional franchises and official merchandise, and completed an inaugural season that reached nearly 100 million viewers worldwide.
Shaikh said of his time at the helm: “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to carry Baseball United from dream to reality alongside so many dedicated and passionate people. Together, we created something from nothing, and that impact will be felt for years to come. I’m deeply grateful to all of our Baseball United fans, players, coaches, partners, investors and team members who believed in this vision and helped bring it to life. Your names will be forever etched in history as the pioneers who brought professional baseball to Arabia.”
Shaikh also worked closely with national teams, baseball federations and government organizations across Asia and the Middle East to help develop baseball infrastructure, showcase emerging players and energize local communities.
Baseball United co-founder, hall of famer and board member, Barry Larkin, said: “On behalf of the board of directors and the Baseball United organization, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Kash for his service as chairman and CEO. Kash’s hard work and efforts played an important part in establishing Baseball United and bringing professional baseball to the region. We are grateful for the dedication Kash showed in helping to launch this worthy initiative. We wish Kash continued success in his future endeavors.”
Baseball United co-owner, World Series champion and board member, Matt Barnes, said: “On behalf of Baseball United’s board of directors, I want to sincerely thank Kash for his leadership and significant contributions to Baseball United and to the growth of baseball globally. Kash’s work ethic, expertise and passion played a central role in building our brand, launching the league and delivering a historic inaugural season. His range of skills and love of the game were apparent in all of his work, and the foundation built during these formative years will be felt on baseball fields across the Middle East and South Asia for years to come. We congratulate Kash on his successful tenure and wish him and his family all the best in his next chapter.”
Following this month’s transition, Shaikh plans to relocate to Texas with his family before focusing on future entrepreneurial pursuits. Baseball United will continue operations as planned, with further updates about leadership and next steps expected in the coming weeks.
