Pre-Match Insights from Albert Riera on Squad Dynamics and Strategy

At a recent press briefing, Albert Riera shared insights regarding his team, their upcoming opponent, and the importance of a bold approach in the attack.

Upcoming Match Details

Following a scoreless match against FC St. Pauli, Eintracht Frankfurt will welcome 1. FC Heidenheim to Deutsche Bank Park on Saturday, March 14 (kick-off at 15:30 CET).

Squad Information

Riera on His Team

“I won’t disclose my starting eleven just yet, but expect a small surprise. Adjustments are always made, and our opponents will do the same. However, the core of the squad, featuring 20 players, will remain consistent,” remarked Riera.

Injury Updates

“Can Uzun and Younes Ebnoutalib won’t be part of the squad for this match, but they are nearing full recovery,” he added.

Offensive Strategy

Direct Play Emphasis

“We need to adopt a more direct style of play. We’ve been emphasizing this in training and while it’s challenging, I’ve told the players not to fear losing possession in the final third. We are performing well overall, and our defensive positioning is stable when we lose the ball. Thus, I encourage more risk-taking with our final passes,” Riera explained.

Insights on Heidenheim

Anticipating Opponent’s Approach

“We are not alone in encountering difficulties against teams that defend deeply. I expect Heidenheim to adopt a similar strategy—waiting for us to slip up and then countering. We’ve prepared for this scenario and incorporated three strategic approaches in practice. For instance, our forwards need to draw defenders away to enable late-arriving players to exploit gaps. Additionally, utilizing crosses will be another option for us,” he stated.

Discussion on Strikers

Kalimuendo’s Impact

“Arnaud Kalimuendo didn’t impact the match against St. Pauli much, yet this was not solely due to his position but how we performed as a unit. We failed to provide adequate service to our forwards, including Arnaud and Jonny Burkardt. Arnaud is fast but needs passes behind the defense to thrive. Without them, it makes little difference who occupies the wings. The match against Bayern demonstrated this effectively,” he noted.

Midfield Dynamics

Player Selection

“It’s akin to being a chef—having quality ingredients is crucial for a successful dish. I’m fortunate to have a wealth of talent in the midfield, which requires me to make strategic choices. That could mean deploying Oscar Højlund as a box-to-box player or placing Hugo Larsson in a more defensive role. It’s my duty to position players like Oscar in a way that highlights their strengths. Regardless of who starts, those on the bench are not there due to poor performance; rather, they are simply better matched against our specific opponent,” Riera concluded.