Ansgar Knauff, Eintracht's right winger, has stated that the club has a fantastic chance of ending the season with a trophy.
The 20-year-old is on loan from Borussia Dortmund after playing mostly for the Dortmund reserve side.
The right-footed player is in the final of the Europa League with SGE, where he will also play next season, and is therefore facing what is likely to be the most important game of his career and the history of his new club.
"It's been an incredible journey since I've been here. When I arrived, we were already in the Europa League round of 16 and then faced Betis Sevilla as opponents. They were tough opponents, we knew that from the start. Then to be in the final over Barcelona and West Ham United is of course an unbelievable feeling. Personally, I'm also pleased that I can experience something like this in the short time that I've been at the club. That just makes me very happy,"
Knauff's quick rise is also due to more playing time and his decision to go on loan.
“It can all happen very, very quickly. We saw the loan as a good step, I had a lot of talks beforehand. Then we came to the conclusion that it could be a good option for me. Now, after a few months, everything has worked out, it's just nice and gives me a very good feeling. I notice: Eintracht Frankfurt was the right decision,"
He said he is on the right track to achieving his goals for the season.
"to develop as best as possible and to get as many minutes as possible," he explained. His path shouldn't be over yet: "I think I'm on the right track and have already developed further in the last few months. I am firmly convinced that this will continue in exactly the same way.”
After the last game of the Bundesliga season next Saturday in Mainz, the big final in Seville is on Wednesday. Knauff emphasized that in his opinion, despite the great euphoria, the team should try not to change anything and go into the game with the same attitude as in the previous rounds.
"It will be key that we just do it the way we do have done so far. Like in Barcelona, like in London and like in Seville. If we do it that way, then we know that it can work and work. We should focus on not doing much differently. It's a final, but the KO games ended up being like finals. Either you win or you're out.”
Knauff rates the game against Scottish club Rangers as a "very open and intense game".
"Similar to the game against West Ham in London. There will be a lot of fighting, a lot of running and it will certainly be extremely physical.” The opponents from Glasgow are “a very good team that Borussia Dortmund and other big teams have beaten in the tournament. They play very aggressively, very hard. It's going to be a difficult game.” One side who have already learned the hard way about how good Rangers are is Knauff's former and future club Borussia Dortmund, who were eliminated by the Scots. Here he got some tips, he reveals:"I talked to Dortmund colleagues, I also watched the games. Glasgow played extremely well against Dortmund, they come from team spirit, the tackles and fast counterattacks. We have to be extremely alert and always be careful. Otherwise it will be difficult.”
"If we concentrate on our strengths, then we have the best chance of winning the game." That is also due to coach Oliver Glasner, who is very have good connections to the team, he explained: "He gives us a lot of good things. He always has the right words to motivate us and bring us down. He also did well in front of West Ham, we not only looked at the opponent, but also a lot of ourselves we have the best chance of winning the game.” he added.
He said he was looking forward to playing in front of lively crowds.
"There will be an extremely good atmosphere from both fan scenes, I'm looking forward to playing there. Glasgow also have good fans, there will be a great atmosphere and a great fight.” And as in the past, the fans of Hessen will also play a big role for Eintracht. "The fans were very important and they will also be important in Seville. It's a great feeling to play with such fans behind you," explains the 20-year-old.