Since his winter move, Hugo Ekitiké has only started one game in the starting line-up. This is primarily due to his previous long period without regular games, which is why the new signing from Eintracht Frankfurt initially had to work on a lot.
But now the time for processing and joker deployments should come to an end – at least that seems to be theoretically possible. Dino Toppmöller reported on the attacker's fitness level before the upcoming match day.
“He has taken part in every training session in the last three weeks. You can tell that he is now at a different level physically. He is full of energy and has trained very well this week,” said Ekitiké's coach, confirming further progress (via kicker). Toppmöller summarized: “I have the feeling that he is physically stable enough that he can now be in the starting line-up week after week.”
However, as I said, this is just the theory. “Of course,” Toppmöller continued, the starting eleven is also about performance. The 21-year-old has to bring this just like any other player.
Nevertheless, the Frenchman seems to have put himself in a good starting position. “He has offered a lot this week, I see him as a candidate for the starting eleven on Saturday,” there was already a first glimpse of a likely starting eleven appearance. It can be expected that Ekitiké will play together with Omar Marmoush against Union Berlin (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.). Then either as a double storm, or with one of the two staggered a little deeper.
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