Frankfurt's new captain confident ahead of next round: "Naturally, we can beat Bayern too"
The Sky microphones might have captured a confident prognosis from any one of the high-flying Hessians after their marvellous 2-0 win over 1. FC Köln.
As it so happens, it was the new team captain who set the tone for next week's salacious showdown.
Thirty-seven-year-old team captain Makoto Hasebe told his post-match interviewer that Sunday's victory all came don to patience. After creating plenty of chances in the first half, yet ultimately failing to furnish the match's opening tally, Hasebe noted that the team never considered doubting themselves.
As it so happens, it was the new team captain who set the tone for next week's salacious showdown.
"Patience was needed today," he emphasised before the Sky cameras, "We remained very calm and told ourselves at halftime that we just wanted to keep playing like this, then the chances would come. We would then take advantage of two of them."
The SGE's possession play could be described as very attractive throughout the match. Another monster performance from Serbian winger Filip Kostic ensured that the chances kept coming, mostly in the form of wicked crosses from the left.
Overall, however, the Adler attack evolved into a more finely balanced display of skill as the game wore on. The team's form continues to glisten from top to bottom.
"We're playing at a very high level," Hasebe beamed before the cameras, "Our mentality is also very good."
At the end of the session, the veteran trainer Adi Hütter entrusted with the captain's armband following David Abraham's retirement couldn't hope to escape the million-dollar question.
"It will be a difficult task, but we're really on the ball at the moment," he responded when pressed about next weekend, "That's why, naturally, we can beat Bayern too."