Eintracht back: “A great feeling” | OneFootball

Matanovic the first to score, Skhiri absent with a cold, three players and two assistant coaches are new, Timmo Hardung and Mario Götze give their thoughts – a summary of the start of pre-season training.

With 19 outfield players and three goalkeepers, Dino Toppmöller’s team began training ahead of the 2024/25 season on Wednesday morning. “It’s a great feeling seeing the boys back on the ball, beaming with joy,” described sporting director Timmo Hardung. Under the guidance of Toppmöller, Stefan Buck – who has been assistant coach for a year – as well as new assistants Xaver Zembrod and Jan Fießer, the primary focus was on the ball, with a few ladder workouts with conditioning coach Markus Murrer thrown in.

Of the four summer signings, only Aurèle Amenda was absent as he continues his rehab following a hamstring injury. Ellyes Skhiri was also absent due to a cold, while Robin Koch and Willian Pacho have an extended holiday after their international exploits. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya is with the French U19 national team in Paris preparing for the European Championship in Northern Ireland.

The group did include three returning loanees, though: Faride Alidou, Jérôme Onguéné and Igor Matanovic – the latter scoring the first training goal of pre-season in the new home kit.

Mario Götze, who took time for autographs and selfies with the fans following the first session with his team-mates, said: “Everyone’s glad to be back after the long break. At the same time, we know that pre-season is the not so nice part before the season starts. It’s tough at times but we know that.”