Krösche delivers specific praise for four players after thorough team win
Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche couldn't help but radiate pure satisfaction with the team he had built after an excellent full-squad performance in the 2-0 defeat of league-leaders 1. FC Union Berlin.
In addition to praising Jesper Lindstrøm and Randal Kolo Muani, the SGE administrator went ahead and gave both an implicit and explicit endorsement for two German national team players ahead of the World Cup.
Mario Götze earned the executive's praise. Keeper Kevin Trapp was labelled the "best German keeper in the World" at this time.
In addition to praising Jesper Lindstrøm and Randal Kolo Muani, the SGE administrator went ahead and gave both an implicit and explicit endorsement for two German national team players ahead of the World Cup.
Mario Götze earned the executive's praise. Keeper Kevin Trapp was labelled the "best German keeper in the World" at this time.
| Markus Krösche. | Photo: GEPA Pictures/Roger Petzsche |
"I think we put in a really good performance over 90 minutes and did an extremely good job going forward in the first half," SGE sporting director Markus Krösche remarked in his post-match interview, "We created a lot of chances and didn't let Union breathe at all."
Krösche gave Germany's 2014 World Cup hero Mario Götze a ringing endorsement on his current form. The 30-year-old generated several smooth scoring chances early. Götze polished off a Kolo Muani cutback in the 12th to open the scoring.
"Mario is a key player," Krösche said, "He always moved well, was always involved, and created lots of space for others."
As for Lindstrøm, the Dane put himself in contention for "goal-of-the-year" honors with his jaw-dropping strip of the ball, solo run, and sublime finish for the 2-0 in the 452nd. most observers were left speechless. Krösche was not.
"Super pick up of the ball," Krösche said of Lindstrøm, "He's hasn't exactly had the killer instinct as of late, but today he handled it quite maturely."
Kolo Muani remained the undisputed star of the show. The Frenchman's brilliance on the ball was regrettably overshadowed by his sending off on double-yellows in the 68th. Muani was first carded for a flagrant elbow shortly before the end of the first half. His stamp on Andras Schäfer's foot on the second booking actually didn't appear intentional.
Of Koko Muani's ejection, Krösche could only say "He'll learn from this."
Union's attack was largely kept clamped down. FCU substitute Tim Skarke nevertheless did get off two stinging distance efforts near the end. Eintracht would not have won the match had keeper Kevin Trapp not risen to the occasion to stop Skarke in the 79th and 90+4.
"Kevin is, for me, the best German keeper in the world at this time," Krösche bluntly stated, "He's been in fantastic form for months."