Football | Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League: Magic at risk

Emotions abound. When Eintracht Frankfurt kicks off their Champions League campaign against Galatasaray Istanbul on Thursday evening, a rousing emotional outpouring is guaranteed thanks to the large number of away fans . Before kickoff, the Hesse team will pay tribute to their iconic figure Kevin Trapp, who left for Paris in the summer. The 383 competitive matches played for the Eagles will be honored. The goalkeeper was a defining figure on many magical nights, culminating in Seville's Europa League triumph in 2022.

European Cup matches are always special for the club, but the density of top games has never been greater than now in the league phase of the Champions League . The third-placed Bundesliga team faces its toughest challenges this calendar year: away games against Atletico Madrid, SSC Napoli, and FC Barcelona, ​​plus home games against Liverpool FC and Atalanta Bergamo.

More Champions League is not possible

Sporting director Markus Krösche didn't even want to formulate a clear target for progression: "We want to have a good season, compete with the best in Europe, put in a good performance, and bring our football onto the pitch – then we'll see how many points we can get." He sees "only opportunities, no risks" for the club. In their last participation in 2022/2023, the Eagles reached the round of 16, where Italian champions Napoli clearly showed them their limits.

"We wanted the Champions League, and we got the Champions League—we're looking forward to it," the smart manager summarized. The next match will be against Qarabag Agdam in January 2026, and then against Tottenham Hotspur on the final matchday. Eintracht Frankfurt were unluckily eliminated by the London club in the Europa League quarterfinals this spring.

Back then, goalkeeping hopeful Kaua Santos caused the decisive penalty with a risky tackle and tore his cruciate ligament, meaning Trapp's successor, Michael Zetterer, brought in from Bremen, is now making his Champions League debut. "My career hasn't been the traditional path. There have been a few bumps in the road," says the 30-year-old. That's why he's "all the more grateful" to experience such a highlight: "At club level, it's the greatest thing you can achieve."

And where better to assess the development of this promising squad than on the stage of the best? This is where the development of young talents like Can Uzun, Nnamdi Collins, and Nathaniel Brown becomes apparent, as does the assertiveness of new signings Ritsu Doan and Jonathan Burkardt. The €88 million sale of Hugo Ekitiké to Liverpool FC has created a gap in the attack, as the nimble Frenchman's finesse has often made the difference.

Probably only limited home advantage

The first test comes with plenty of prominent names. The 25-time Turkish champions and current league leaders have signed the previously loaned striker Victor Osimhen from Naples for a Turkish record fee of 75 million euros, added Leroy Sané from FC Bayern, and at the last minute also plucked former German national team captain İlkay Gündoğan from Manchester City. The 34-year-old is set to become the new leader of the Yellow-Reds. "Our goal is to make the Galatasaray brand internationally acceptable again," said President Dursun Özbek. Now, Galatasaray fans from all over Germany are luring the club to the city on the Main River, where the visitors are even organizing a fan march.

Four-figure prices are being quoted and paid on ticket forums. So many citizens of Turkish descent want to be there for the away game in the heart of Europe that a challenge in the stands is also looming. Eintracht Frankfurt board member Philipp Reschke said: "A match with such high demand attracts masses of fraudsters. We must expressly warn against buying tickets on the black market." There also seems to be great concern that Eintracht's home advantage will not be realized on this European Cup evening – and the usual magic in the red-lit Waldstadion is at risk. Trapp's departure or not.