When Lukas Hradecky thinks back on the dramatic finish to last season, he takes a deep breath before declaring: “That was an experience I could have done without. It was hell. It was all I could think about during my first two weeks of holiday.”
The Eintracht Frankfurt keeper is naturally referring to the two relegation play-off encounters with 1. FC Nürnberg. Frankfurt ensured their Bundesliga status with a 1-0 win in Nuremberg after the first leg in Frankfurt ended in a 1-1 draw. “I’m just happy that it all turned out alright in the end,” said Hradecky, who then admits that he would rather talk about something else.
But looking back on a difficult season isn’t all bad Eintracht Frankfurt when you consider their sudden rise in form this season. “Those relegation play-offs made us stronger,” believes Hradecky. “I think that we learned from those games and I’m confident that we won’t be getting ourselves into a situation like that again anytime soon.”
“We want to take the next step in this competition”
As things stand, it certainly looks like Frankfurt will have little to worry about this season. Nico Kovac’s men have established themselves as a mid-table side in the Bundesliga table and on Tuesday they will be looking to secure a ticket to the round of 16 in the DFB Cup when they take on FC Ingolstadt.
“It would be great if we could take the next step in this great competition,” said Hradecky. “In the league we won 2-0 in Ingolstadt. That obviously gives us confidence but we also realised there that they are a much better side than their current position in the table suggests. We definitely can’t allow ourselves to take things easy. Our dream could be over really quickly if we do that.”
The 26-year-old is determined to reach the next round with Eintracht Frankfurt. “In my eyes, this is the easiest way to qualify for Europe. And everyone is always saying great things about the atmosphere in the final in Berlin. I would like to experience it myself.”
Hradecky has been at Frankfurt for almost one-and-half-years now. From day one the Finish international has been a regular at Eintracht and one of the reasons they managed to avoid relegation last season “I’m personally happy with my own performances. Obviously there is always room to improve, but overall I think I was able to help the team.”
The “flying Fin”
It was no easy task for Hradecky, who arrived at Frankfurt as Kevin Trapp’s successor, after the latter joined Paris St. Germain. But the fans quickly accepted the “flying Fn” as their new number one.
When Lukas Hradecky thinks back on the dramatic finish to last season, he takes a deep breath before declaring: “That was an experience I could have done without. It was hell. It was all I could think about during my first two weeks of holiday.”
The Eintracht Frankfurt keeper is naturally referring to the two relegation play-off encounters with 1. FC Nürnberg. Frankfurt ensured their Bundesliga status with a 1-0 win in Nuremberg after the first leg in Frankfurt ended in a 1-1 draw. “I’m just happy that it all turned out alright in the end,” said Hradecky, who then admits that he would rather talk about something else.
But looking back on a difficult season isn’t all bad Eintracht Frankfurt when you consider their sudden rise in form this season. “Those relegation play-offs made us stronger,” believes Hradecky. “I think that we learned from those games and I’m confident that we won’t be getting ourselves into a situation like that again anytime soon.”
“We want to take the next step in this competition”
As things stand, it certainly looks like Frankfurt will have little to worry about this season. Nico Kovac’s men have established themselves as a mid-table side in the Bundesliga table and on Tuesday they will be looking to secure a ticket to the round of 16 in the DFB Cup when they take on FC Ingolstadt.
“It would be great if we could take the next step in this great competition,” said Hradecky. “In the league we won 2-0 in Ingolstadt. That obviously gives us confidence but we also realised there that they are a much better side than their current position in the table suggests. We definitely can’t allow ourselves to take things easy. Our dream could be over really quickly if we do that.”
The 26-year-old is determined to reach the next round with Eintracht Frankfurt. “In my eyes, this is the easiest way to qualify for Europe. And everyone is always saying great things about the atmosphere in the final in Berlin. I would like to experience it myself.”
Hradecky has been at Frankfurt for almost one-and-half-years now. From day one the Finish international has been a regular at Eintracht and one of the reasons they managed to avoid relegation last season “I’m personally happy with my own performances. Obviously there is always room to improve, but overall I think I was able to help the team.”
The “flying Fin”
It was no easy task for Hradecky, who arrived at Frankfurt as Kevin Trapp’s successor, after the latter joined Paris St. Germain. But the fans quickly accepted the “flying Fn” as their new number one.
Eintracht fans like his calm demeanour, the way he controls the penalty area and his brilliant reflexes. But especially because of his fine character. Hradecky is a humorous guy who doesn’t need to be at the centre of attention. That will be different however on Tuesday, when he and Frankfurt will look to book a spot in the DFB Cup round of 16.
