Eintracht Frankfurt’s personnel updates ahead of Europa League clash with Tottenham | OneFootball

Amid answering other questions ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur, Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmöller also provided personnel updates. He began with the good news that regular squad captain Kevin Trapp had finally returned to training.

Trapp nevertheless isn’t a topic for return tomorrow. The team’s de-facto leader, former Leeds United centre-back Robin Koch, will thus once again don the armband while rising Brazilian youngster Kaua Santos will again stand in goal.

Toppmöller expressed full confidence in his 22-year-old keeper, even refusing to flinch when a reporter pointed out that the second leg quarter-final could conceivably go to penalties. The SGE head coach merely stated that he had “zero doubts” in Kaua Santos.

In other Eintracht-related personnel news, Toppmöller confirmed that German attacker Ansgar Knauff had passed a full fitness test and would feature in the squad tomorrow. Knauff unfortunately succumbed to knee problems after a promising March international break for the Germany U21s.

“A partial integration was planned, but he was able to do everything and will therefore be back in the squad tomorrow,” Toppmöller said. “Though he’s still not a topic for the starting XI.“

Asked whether Danish right back Rasmus Kristensen would start after a shaky performance against Heidenheim on Sunday, Toppmöller seemed to answer in the affirmative. Promising German youngster Nnamdi Collins unquestionably did better in relief of Kristiansen, but the Dane has more experience.

Toppmöller did not address whether the German fullback might get another shot in the attack, as he did in relief of the injured Knauff three weeks ago.

“Rasmus’ performance [against Spurs last week] is what matters,” Toppmöller noted, “And he [the Leeds United loanee] has played over in England too.”

GGFN | Peter Weis