Eintracht Frankfurt react to Europa League elimination: “We will come back stronger!” | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmöller and squad captain Robin Koch naturally found themselves in a reflective mood after last night’s Europa League elimination. The two men – who expressed plenty of optimism ahead of their home Tottenham fixture at a presser on Wednesday – had to answer for the fact that they became the third Bundesliga side to fail in Europe over the last three days.

Essentially nothing went right for the RheinMainAdler against Spurs at Deutsche Bank Park. The Premier League outfit defeated Eintracht 0-1, advancing 2-1 on aggregate through two quarterfinal legs. Highly touted young SGE keeper Kaua Santos conceded the penalty that enabled Spurs to take the lead. One day removed from his permanent signing, Frankfurt fullback Rasmus Kristensen missed several good opportunities to equalise.

“We had enough chances to score in the second half,” Koch remarked in the mixed zone. “We had enough chances to push the match into extra time [on 2-2 aggregate. We were clearly the more dominant team in the second half.

“It’s extremely bitter,” Koch continued. “The whole course of the game was extremely bitter. I think there isn’t much more to say about what transpired here. It’s unbelievable.

“But every player wants to experience this again next year,” Koch continued. “We want to qualify for the Champions League [through the table]. It’s magical to play with Frankfurt in Europe.“

“I told the lads that I’m proud of our great journey, games, and results,” Toppmöller told RTL. “I think we were the better team and losing on a penalty is bitter. a dream has been shattered.

“We were playing for a chance to go down in history,” Toppmöller continued. “We were the youngest team in the competition. we grew as a team this year and gained the confidence I told the boys that defeats are part of the process of success. We will come back stronger.”

“They [the team] left everything on the pitch today,” Toppmöller added at the post match press conference. “I think everyone saw that we absolutely wanted it. Losses are not to opposite of successes. They are part of successes.

“Even if we disappointed today and won’t feel good when we wake up tomorrow, it’s a part of [the process],” Toppmöller continued. “We have to perceive it as an opportunity for growth.

“One draws strength from just such situations,” Toppmöller concluded. “This is an invaluable learning experience. It’s important for this young team to experience bitter losses like this order to learn that it’s not about one game.“

GGFN | Peter Weis