“We’ll give absolutely everything” | OneFootball

Head coach Dino Toppmöller and Robin Koch give their thoughts ahead of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg against Tottenham Hotspur.

Having drawn the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie 1-1 in London, the Eagles host Spurs at Frankfurt Stadion on Thursday evening (kick-off 21:00 CEST) with the aim of advancing to the last four. At the pre-match press conference, Dino Toppmöller and Robin Koch spoke about... … how things stand

Dino Toppmöller: “Everyone has to be at 100%, which I’m sure they will be. What’s also important: a good plan, good intensity and a bit of luck. We’re also banking on the home crowd factor. One of the most important things will be for us to get into the game well from the start. Having home advantage in the second leg could make a difference and we’re counting on our fans as a factor. It’s a big game and we’re all looking forward to it.”

Robin Koch: “You feel it in the whole city, in the whole club and also among us in the team: everyone’s looking forward to the match. The excitement for Thursday against Tottenham is incredible. For me personally, it’s the best game I’ve ever been involved in at club level.”

… Ansgar Knauff and Kevin Trapp

Dino Toppmöller: “It’s nice that Ansgar Knauff and Kevin Trapp are back. Trapp won’t be involved yet tomorrow. Knauff will be back in the squad.”

… focus

Dino Toppmöller: “I’ve got absolute tunnel vision and I’m not thinking about anything other than Thursday’s game. We’ll give absolutely everything and put in a good performance – we want to go through.”

… pressure

Dino Toppmöller: “We can’t wait for the match; we’re really up for it. We want to go through with everything we’ve got. We shouldn’t get carried away, but we’re in a good position going into it.”

… Tottenham Hotspur

Dino Toppmöller: “We know all about the quality Tottenham have and that it’ll be extremely tough. But we’re also confident in our own qualities and what we’ve achieved on the pitch. Tottenham’s 4-2 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League at the weekend is irrelevant because they’re only focusing on the Europa League.”