Ekitiké: "More pressure on me after Marmoush departure" | OneFootball

Hugo Ekitiké on filling Omar Marmoush's boots at Eintracht Frankfurt, European ambitions and more

Hugo Ekitiké has scored 17 competitive goals for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024/25 - only three less than former teammate Omar Marmoush, who left the club for Manchester City in January.

bundesliga.com spoke to the former Paris Saint-Germain forward about his evolving role in the Eintracht attack, ambitions for the rest of the campaign and much more besides...

bundesliga.com: How much do you miss Omar Marmoush?

Hugo Ekitiké: "I wouldn’t say that I miss him because we have new players who are also very, very good. I think he did everything he needed to do here. I'm happy to see him playing in England now. I try to watch his games whenever I can, especially when he’s playing. I think we shared some great moments together, and I hope we can play together again or face each other soon."

bundesliga.com: Since he left, you’ve been playing as the only striker. What has changed for you on the pitch? Do you have more space, more freedom?

Ekitiké: "I was already quite free before. It’s just that when he was here, we had to share responsibilities. When you’re the only striker, the team plays more for you, and there’s more pressure on me because he was involved in many goals and assists. Now, people are expecting me to do the same."

bundesliga.com: You’re in your second season with Frankfurt. We think you’ve clearly settled in well and are having an outstanding season. How do you assess your development since you’ve arrived?

Ekitiké: "Sometimes I sit at home and think, 'Wow, it’s been a year already.' I’ve gone through all the stages - starting on the bench, coming on as a sub, getting my first starts. I’m lucky to be playing regularly now. As I always say: I’m happy, but I want more. I want to score more, assist more. I’m still hungry."

bundesliga.com: Do you sometimes dream of playing in the Champions League?

Ekitiké: "I think the Champions League is at the back of our minds, but we’re not focusing on it too much right now because there are still a lot of league games to come. We’ll only be rewarded at the end of the season. So, for now, we’re not really thinking about it."

bundesliga.com: Why is the team performing better than last season? You’ve been close to the Champions League spots since the beginning.

Ekitiké: "I think it’s partly because we had a very young group of players who needed some time to play together, to get to know each other, and to build something. Now, things are much better. We know each other well, except for the two or three new players who joined recently. But overall, I think we’re improving with time."

bundesliga.com: How do you see the battle for the Champions League spots?

Ekitiké: "It’s going to be tight. We’re ahead of some teams, but there are others ahead of us. Personally, I like to focus on the teams ahead of us. I always see myself as the hunter. We have two teams to catch, so we just need to keep winning and looking forward."

bundesliga.com: What comes to mind when you think of Harry Kane?

Ekitiké: "Top striker, great goal scorer, and it’s great to have him in the Bundesliga. I really like him."

bundesliga.com: You’re playing Leverkusen right after Bayern - the two top teams in a row. What do you expect from this Saturday’s game at home against Bayer?

Ekitiké: "It’s going to be a tough game. We already had a tough match against Bayern. Leverkusen are on the same level as Bayern this year, even if the table doesn’t show it. But we’re playing at home, in front of our crowd. If we stay united as a team, we can always achieve something. It’s a football match, after all."

bundesliga.com: In the home game against Kiel, you missed a penalty. How do you handle that kind of situation?

Ekitiké: "Penalties… When you miss one, you’re all alone in the stadium. It’s never nice to miss one, but it’s part of the game. I think you have to miss some to score others. I keep working on them in training, and I want to keep taking penalties for the team. They can count on me."

bundesliga.com: Elye Wahi is new to the team. How is his coping?

Ekitiké: "It’s going well. We’re working together in training and starting to find our rhythm. We already knew each other from before - he’s French too. I’m confident it will translate onto the pitch soon."

bundesliga.com: Michy Batshuayi is also new. How excited are you about his signing?

Ekitiké: "I think he’s a great signing. He brings a different dynamic to the team, which has a lot of young players. He’s more experienced, and I used to watch him play when I was younger. It’s great to have him here. He can give us advice. He’s still a top player, so it’s fantastic to have him with us."

bundesliga.com: How long will it take Wahi and Batshuayi to fully adapt to Eintracht Frankfurt?

Ekitiké: "They’re already working on it. It’s a process. When I first arrived, I needed some time too. We all come from different backgrounds. But they’re here now, they know the group, and we know them. It will start to gel."

bundesliga.com: What do you think defines your Eintracht Frankfurt most?

Ekitiké: "I’d say our youth and our energy, for better or worse. Sometimes we’re full of surprises because we do things people don’t expect from us."

bundesliga.com: After Leverkusen, you’re off to Amsterdam. Ajax await you in the Europa League - what are your expectations?

Ekitiké: "I like this draw. It’s a top game, a top team, a European game against Ajax, a big club. I can’t wait to be there."

bundesliga.com: Do you have what it takes to win the Europa League?

Ekitiké: "You should ask Kevin [Trapp], Timmy [Chandler] - the guys who’ve already won it. It will take dedication, mental strength, and quality."

bundesliga.com: Are you thinking more and more about the France national team? Do you have a goal, perhaps the 2026 World Cup?

Ekitiké: "Of course, it’s in the back of my mind. I’m trying to perform so that maybe one day I will be there. For now, I’m focused on playing and letting my performances speak for themselves. It’s tough to break into one of the best national teams in the world, so I’ll keep working."

bundesliga.com: Your family aside, were there any coaches, especially from your early days at Stade Reims, who had a major influence on your football development? If so, can you tell us who they are, where they live now, what they’re doing, and how you stay in touch?

Ekitiké: "I don’t know what they're all doing nowadays, as they all have their own journey. But I can name a few: Stéphane Lemoine from my U13 days, Corentin Bataille from the U17, Franck Chalançon from the U19 to the fourth French division, and David Guion, who gave me my first pro season. They’ve all been important at different stages."

bundesliga.com: Who was the most important among all these coaches?

Ekitiké: "It’s hard to say. Everyone played a role at different times. But the biggest leap for me was moving from the youth level to semi-pro, and then to pro. Franck Chalançon and Christophe Raymond helped me make that transition."

bundesliga.com: Are there friends who have had a major influence on your football development?

Ekitiké: "I would say that it was mostly my family’s work. They don’t give me football advice of course, but psychologically, my whole family has been important."

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