“We want to reach the Europa League quarter-finals” | OneFootball

Head coach Dino Toppmöller and Ansgar Knauff have only one goal on Thursday – to advance to the last eight of the UEFA Europa League.

At the press conference on the eve of the last-16 return leg against AFC Ajax, Eagles head coach Dino Toppmöller and Ansgar Knauff spoke about…

…the backdrop:

Dino Toppmöller: “I expect us to build on the performance from the first leg and show just the same focus and concentration as in Amsterdam. It’s only half-time and we’re only thinking about the game on Thursday, which will be tricky enough. We want to grasp the opportunity at home along with our outstanding supporters. We’re aware of the opportunity we have to unleash a fresh wave of euphoria.”

Ansgar Knauff: “We're going into it with a slight advantage, but we also know it's a knockout game and nothing is decided yet. It's going to be very special again. I've experienced a lot of special games already here and I'm massively looking forward to it. Us players are fired up and want to go through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.”

…personnel

Dino Toppmöller: “It's looking very good with Robin Koch, he's given the green light. With Arthur Theate, we have to wait for the final test tomorrow.”

…Eintracht’s physical shape

Dino Toppmöller: “At the highest level of European football, and in football in general, it’s important to be able to play with a high level of intensity. On top of that high intensity, which we showed in the game in Amsterdam and have shown on a regular basis in the Bundesliga, it’s important to be good on the ball, technically polished and to make good decisions.”

…Tuta

Dino Toppmöller: “He’s formed a really good centre-back partnership with Robin Koch. You can tell he finds it a little easier with a strong partner who gives the orders and marshals the defence, rather than being the one who guides young Nnamdi Collins, for instance. However, he can’t afford to make mistakes like the ones in the game [against Union Berlin on Sunday], and he knows that.”

…Michy Batshuayi

Dino Toppmöller: “He’s in good form and an incredibly good lad. He fits seamlessly into our structure. I’m not going to say whether I’ll use him in a front two or not on Thursday.”