Before the top match in Leverkusen: Frankfurt wants to become Bayern's first pursuer

Eintracht Frankfurt is steadily climbing the league table, with many observers even considering them Bayern's number one pursuer. The match against arch-rivals Leverkusen should provide insight into how far the Hessian club truly stands.

Eintracht coach Dino Toppmöller said on Thursday that he could certainly imagine the "Russian" in the squad for the Bundesliga match against Leverkusen (8:30 p.m.) the following day. "It's at least worth considering." If only so that this constant whining would eventually stop.

You have to know: Russer is the nickname of Marco Russ, a former defender who made 328 appearances for Frankfurt, and, most importantly, a one-time winner for Leverkusen. That was in December 2013, when the now 40-year-old headed the ball into the net for a 1-0 victory. It would be Frankfurt's last hat-trick under the Bayer Leverkusen cross to this day.

Eintracht has now gone eleven competitive matches without a win in Leverkusen, often suffering heavy defeats. A terrible record , no question, which former pro Russ, now a video analyst at Eintracht, regularly rubs in his boss Toppmöller's face. The solution to all his problems is so close, he says. "We'll see," Toppmöller concluded his remarks on Thursday with a laugh. The clear trend: Russ will stay in the stands.

Things are going brilliantly for Eintracht Frankfurt anyway, more brilliantly than ever before. The Hessians are now undefeated across the season in eight matches, and they're simply continuing where they left off in the last round – with successful and impressive football. Two league games, two wins, two opponents from Bremen and Hoffenheim who stood a chance against them, plus the easy cup advance against amateur club FV Engers. Things couldn't be going any better.

His team got off to a "really good start," said Toppmöller, who can hardly find anything to criticize, not only in the few games but also in the many training sessions. The team is pulling together brilliantly and is fully focused. "That's why we're traveling to Leverkusen with great optimism," said Toppmöller.

If Eintracht Frankfurt challenges the former second-placed team, many speculate that it could be a changing of the guard. On the one hand, the shaken-up Bayer, on the other, the more established Eintracht – both with the intention of continuing to play a significant role in the top flight of the Bundesliga and chasing Bayern. However, Leverkusen's change of coach from Erik ten Hag to Kasper Hjulmand creates a "special situation" for Eintracht, as Toppmöller said: "We have to be prepared for anything; we're in for a surprise." One, however, that the visitors intend to face in their usual Eintracht style. "Be courageous, put the opponent under pressure early on – that's our philosophy," said the coach.

After the sale of their best player, Hugo Ekitiké, to Liverpool FC, it initially seemed like the end was imminent, and Eintracht Frankfurt's engine might now be faltering a bit. Quite the opposite is the case; a break in form is nowhere in sight. While last season's first Champions League qualification in the club's history via the league route was largely linked to the formidable attacking duo of Omar Marmoush and Ekitiké, Frankfurt are virtually unpredictable this season.

Here, Ritsu Doan, who has become a difference-maker without any time off, there, the young ace strikers Jean-Mattéo Bahoya and Can Uzun . Behind them, Hugo Larsson, who plays like an old hand, yet is still only 21, and Farés Chaibi, who initiates attacks with astonishing strategic skill. As a backup, one of the best defensive formations in the club's history. At this point, mention should be made of Nnamdi Collins, a hotly debated figure during the international break . As a new international, he doesn't even have a guaranteed starting place in Frankfurt, even if the other defenders (Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Arthur Theate, Nathaniel Brown) are all fit.

Despite all the justified praise, Eintracht Frankfurt is also aware of some weaknesses in its squad. It was not for nothing that the prolific sporting director Markus Krösche pushed for transfers of a striker and a defensive midfielder on deadline day. To no avail. The market simply didn't offer the right personnel, Krösche announced at the beginning of the week, which is why he and the club decided against the last-minute signings that have become almost commonplace in Frankfurt.

"What we definitely don't want to do is block and risk the development of our players," Krösche emphasized. It is therefore important not only to always overvalue external personnel, but above all to value the qualities of our own.

Coach Toppmöller is comfortable with this decision, having already mastered significantly more complex personnel situations – such as the regular sale of his top scorers. He has confidence in the existing squad, which is almost completely available for the big game. The only exception is Mario Götze. The former world champion continues to be hampered by muscular problems. Strikers Jonathan Burkardt (after back pain) and Ellyes Skhiri (after knee problems), as well as goalkeeper Kaua Santos, will be back in the squad.

The young Brazilian is known as Frankfurt's designated number one, even the league's most promising goalkeeper, but he may have to continue to exercise patience after his serious knee injury. Toppmöller, in any case, left a starting spot open. "Sometimes I give insights, but not in this case. We have a clear plan for how things should proceed with Kaua in the coming weeks." A slight inclination: Michael Zetterer, the new signing from Bremen, will once again be in goal in Leverkusen. He, incidentally, beat Bayer Leverkusen in March of this year. Without conceding a goal, mind you.

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