The VfB squad’s hard work during the training camp in Marbella will be put to the test at 15:30 CET on Saturday, when they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The Eagles are currently ninth in the table and within touching distance of the European places. “Frankfurt’s style of play is very intense,” VfB boss Pellegrino Matarazzo told the media at Thursday’s pre-match press conference. “They run a lot and commit a lot of challenges, while also striking a good balance between variable build-up play and a direct attacking game. We’ll have to go beyond our limits to stand a chance.”
Silas in contention
Matarazzo said his players are preparing for the upcoming encounter with “calmness, focus and high willingness”, adding: “It’ll be important for us to be successful in front of the opposition goal – that will give us a spark. The players want it badly.”
One of those players is Silas Katompa Mvumpa, who is making good progress in his return to full fitness. “He has the stamina for 60 minutes,” revealed Matarazzo. “If everything goes as it should, he has a good chance of being on the pitch against Frankfurt.”
Matarazzo will have to make do without Nikolas Nartey for two months due to a knee injury which requires arthroscopic surgery. However, new signing Thiago Tomás, who Matarazzo intends to use as either a central striker or a right winger, is set to be named in the VfB squad for the first time this weekend.