Kristensen: "We have to qualify for the Champions League" | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt's Rasmus Kristensen: "We have to qualify for the Champions League"

Rasmus Kristensen, who recently signed a permanent deal with Eintracht Frankfurt following his loan from Leeds United, has been an important part of the Eagles' rise into the top four. bundesliga.com took the opportunity to sit down with the Dane and discuss his first year at the club and what Eintracht can achieve before the end of the season...

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bundesliga.com: Congratulations, Rasmus, on signing your four-year permanent contract with Eintracht Frankfurt. Why did you commit to Eintracht for such a long term?

Rasmus Kristensen: “From the very beginning, it wasn’t just my decision but also the club’s. I believe it was the perfect match from the start, and I feel completely at home here - my family does too -and that’s the most important thing for me. I’ve loved my time here so far, so it was an incredibly easy decision.”

Kristensen's commitment for the Frankfurt cause this season has made him a fan favourite. (DFL/Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann)

bundesliga.com: What is special about Eintracht? Why did you want to stay here?

Kristensen: “The fans here are simply outstanding. It’s been incredible right from the first match. I knew Frankfurt had passionate supporters, but I didn’t expect such an atmosphere. Sometimes, when you hear 'Frankfurt', you think of the airport, but it’s so much more, and seeing how important football is here really made me want to stay.”

bundesliga.com: We can see how happy you are here. Has that also contributed to your desire to stay here?

Kristensen: “It’s wonderful here off the pitch, too. I had my first child on 1 August - born in Frankfurt - and that’s brought many special moments for me this year too."

bundesliga.com: We witnessed in your Danish homeland how valuable identification is, when you were cheered on at Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League by the entire stadium. What does that mean to you, and what does it say about Rasmus Kristensen the player?

Kristensen: “I’m a player who always tries to give his best and give everything for the club. Then I had the honour and fortune to receive some love back from the Midtjylland fans—my boyhood club where I was born and raised. I know everyone there, so it was a special moment for me. I hope that many years from now, perhaps in my final game for Frankfurt, I receive that same applause.”

bundesliga.com: You’re so close to UEFA Champions League qualification. Is it dangerous to start thinking about being there?

Kristensen: “No, it’s not dangerous to think that way, because we’ve almost made it, but we still have to finish the job. We haven’t accomplished anything yet, only 'almost'. That’s very important. We’ve had a great season so far and deserve our position; now we just need to see it through. We must not fear our situation. We have to qualify for the Champions League.”

bundesliga.com: What would it mean to you to be able to play in the Champions League?

Kristensen: “The biggest stage is the Champions League. As we said in Salzburg, it's the best level there is for club football.”

bundesliga.com: Eintracht and Europe have been a special combination in recent years, in part thanks to the very loud Frankfurt fans. Can you describe how that support uplifts the players?

Kristensen: “What can I say? The support I’ve experienced this year has been incredible; you don’t often get this kind of backing in football. I believe our team has a special relationship with our fans. We know we have to give everything, and we do in every match, and they give us everything they can too. Together, we’ve had a great season, and it could become truly special if we make the Champions League. Then, hopefully, we can celebrate on Sunday in our own stadium with our fans.”

bundesliga.com: That game is against St. Pauli, and it feels like a final for you, perhaps with a huge party afterwards. What will be decisive?

Kristensen: “Of course we have to go into every game giving everything, and our clear goal is to finish it off at home. I’m really looking forward to the chance to play a big match in front of our fans. That’s a footballer’s dream, and hopefully it will be a dream day for the whole club.”

bundesliga.com: How do you prepare for such a big game? Is it palpable that you’re on the verge of a landmark moment in the club’s history?

Kristensen: “You do feel the occasion, but we try - and I know it sounds boring - to focus on doing our job. We aim to play the game and not think too much about everything else, because we know we have to do our job first, then we can celebrate. We approach this match like any other, with the same mentality. Of course mentally it’s different, because you know everything can be achieved with one game, but the preparation is exactly the same as always."

bundesliga.com: Your goal in the last game at Mainz almost secured Champions League qualification. How does it feel to contribute so much to Eintracht’s strong season with top performances?

Kristensen: “Of course it’s nice. It’s a dream for every footballer to be a key player and to achieve goals with the team. That’s true for me as well, and I’m just happy I can help the team.”

bundesliga.com: How special has your first year in Frankfurt been? At times, it’s been a journey through your own football history with matches in Midtjylland, Amsterdam, and Rome…

Kristensen: “This has been a truly special season. I even laughed when we got Ajax in the draw - only Leeds were missing. But going back to Midtjylland was wonderful, Amsterdam was nice, and Rome, where I played last year, I know everyone there. So there have been some fantastic moments for me.”

bundesliga.com: You have previously in the Eredivisie, the Premier League, Serie A. How do you rate the Bundesliga by comparison? What makes the Bundesliga special?

Kristensen: “For me, the Bundesliga is an extremely tight league with many good teams. The games tend to be more open tactically, with more end‑to‑end action and slightly less defensive rigidity. Maybe it’s more physical, but to me that’s perfect: always a high tempo, lots of battles and runs at a high level. That’s the biggest difference between the Bundesliga and other leagues. You go full speed for 90 minutes. The Premier League is a bit more explosive; Italy is calmer and more tactically organised in my opinion; Germany is just full throttle from start to finish.”

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