Eintracht Frankfurt know they have to shore up their defence when they visit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday but they also have in-form teenager Can Uzun up front.
Uzun, 19, has scored in all five Bundesliga matches this season, plus three assists, and was also on target in Frankfurt’s opening 5-1 triumph over Galatasaray in the European elite event.
“Can is in top form. He gives us a lot,” forward Ansgar Knauff said.
Big turnaround
Coach Dino Toppmöller was also full of praise for the youngster, who arrived last year from second division Nuremberg, and is now excelling after a difficult first season.
“Can is primarily responsible for his own transformation. He is very open, very eager to learn, invested a lot of effort over the summer and fits in well with the team,” Toppmöller said.
“What I like about him is that he remains hungry, he is motivated, he wants to keep going and score goals.”
Board member for sport Markus Krösche added: “Can takes responsibility. He is a key player in our team and makes a lot of good decisions. But he is also getting better and better at defending.”
Uzun ready for Atletico
Uzun himself said that the scoring spree is “nice” and “wasn’t planned” as he is now anticipating the biggest test at former finalists Atletico, who beat mighty crosstown rivals Real Madrid 5-2 on the weekend.
“It’s going to be a tough and nasty opponent, but we’re ready for it,” Uzun insisted.
Learning process
Krösche said Atletico’s big win over Real highlighted “what kind of team we’re up against” even though Atletico coach Diego Simeone will be missing on the sideline due to a red card suspension.
“We already knew that from their name, basically. Now they’ve shown once again what kind of football they can play and what they’re capable of achieving.
“It will be a learning process for 90, 95 minutes because you’re up against an experienced team that is of high quality and has been playing in the Champions League for years and decades. We’ll see how far we really are in certain situations.”
Defence the key
Defence could be the key for the 2022 Europa League champions Frankfurt as they have shipped 11 goals in their last three Bundesliga matches which include their crazy 6-4 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday.
“WE must give our all over 90 minutes and always remain concentrated,” key defender Robin Koch said, and Knauff added: “We will do our utmost to get a result.”
