The big show of the Japanese in training. No movement at Filip Kostic, no new offer made.
Windischgarsten – Mario Götze here and Mario Götze there. Front, back, right, left, up, down. Omnipresent. Not a conversation without someone wanting to know something about the virtuoso on the ball. How is he acting? how does he bring Eintracht Frankfurt further? What does he give to the team? How good is he? And so on.
Mario Götze himself prefers to only play football. The 30-year-old is by no means isolating himself and is not isolated either, he has integrated himself quite normally, has arrived in the group, which always makes it easy for the newcomers to fit in anyway. No airs, no antics, no special treatment. The ex-Dortmunder once introduced himself at a press conference, gave an agreed interview, otherwise he sweats on the training ground like everyone else. That’s how he wants it, no other way.
Eintracht Frankfurt: Mario Götze feels good, has arrived
He laughs at the jokes of Goncalo Paciencia, the bear in a good mood, carries the goal away, he feels good, welcomed, arrived. You can see that. Why not? Even celebrated and then fallen people who scored a goal for eternity and have many millions in the account can have remained normal guys. He is said to have been snooty, the ex-national player, now he seems mature and reflective, modest. On Tuesday, after training with the yoga teacher, he continued to work on his fitness and stability. Afterwards, when everyone else had already gone up to the room, he joined the fans, gave autographs in a good mood and was willingly available for selfies. Götze, the star you can touch.
And yet something will hit him when it starts. The eyes will be on him, the media focus on him – regardless of whether he plays well, badly or not at all. You have to come to terms with that. Not only him, but also the players and those responsible. That can sometimes distract from the real thing. But that was clear beforehand, it was checked and priced in, the opportunities were rated higher than the risks, because the guy really wants to tackle it again at this level.
Eintracht Frankfurt: Kostic stays? Only maybe
He’s quiet on the pitch, almost never to be heard, he instinctively searches for free space, but it’s not like he’s playing everything to the ground in training. Not long. From time to time his class flashes, also in the friendly against Linz with two lightning-fast passes. But otherwise Mario Götze plays rather inconspicuously, he is only at the beginning of the preparation, had to step back a little a few days ago due to muscular problems. On the other hand, things will get serious for Eintracht in less than three weeks, DFB Cup game, first round at second division promoted 1. FC Magdeburg. A nasty task. Not much time left. In the training camp in Windischgarsten, Götze doesn’t take it easy and is present at every unit.
And of course many people are puzzled as to what will become of Daichi Kamada, because Götze is here now. Does he have to go to the bank? Does he take off? The Japanese, who will also be 26 in a few weeks, doesn’t seem to be asking himself that, because the game master has returned from the summer holidays in an almost unbelievable early form. In the short field games, the elegant man from Nippon excels in the tightest of spaces, feinting here, throwing in a magic pass there, body deceptions, plug-in balls, shots. And robust in a duel.
Eintracht Frankfurt: Daichi Kamada is in top form – the future is still unclear
Kamada outshines everything, the spectators on the training ground are amazed, almost in awe. The international not only represents Götze, he outshines everyone. Kamada on the bench? Never in this form. Kamada before the jump? Will be seen. In any case, no one who is elsewhere with their thoughts turns it up. Doesn’t mean he’s staying safe, maybe he’s going to England after all, where Asians like to be and are welcome. But maybe he’ll extend it or just stay for another year.
That also applies to Filip Kostic. A report that the Serbian flank god wants to accept an improved offer of concord does not correspond to the facts. The alleged offer of five million euros per annum has never been deposited, Eintracht cannot offer that much. The status is unchanged, everything is open until the transfer deadline, even if Kostic does not give the impression of wanting to leave. “Let’s see what happens,” says sports director Markus Krösche.
Kevin Trapp excellent – ”For me, he is currently the best German goalkeeper”
Back to the big Kamada show in Upper Austria, with the very best Kevin Trapp can keep up, the goalkeeper, who has also preserved his magnificent condition. Under the frenetic hooting of the fans, the 32-year-old keeper saves the balls in a row, spectacularly, in one-on-one the national goalkeeper seems to have upped the ante. Hardly anyone gets past him. Excellent.
“For me, he’s the best German goalkeeper at the moment,” said manager Krösche. “Kevin is extremely important for the team, gives them calm, stability and security.” And he’s an important factor in the dressing room. “He is important as a leading player because he knows the club, always takes care of the newcomers and speaks many languages.” Which is why Trapp, after last season and the great title of Seville, which he did not secure alone, but to a large extent, not even allowed to guard the goal in one of four international matches and Manuel Neuer had to give way, many could not understand and remain the secret of national coach Hansi Flick. Trapp got over it himself. (Ingo Durstewitz)