Frankfurt and USMNT star Timothy Chandler: 'We've got real quality'
Eintracht Frankfurt are yet to lose to a top Bundesliga side this season and have cemented their place in the top half of the table. The Eagles now host fourth-placed 1. FC Köln for Saturday’s evening kick-off. Ahead of the clash with the Billy Goats, Eintracht defender Timothy Chandler has spoken about Frankfurt’s positive progression and the upcoming opposition.
bundesliga.com: Timothy Chandler, Eintracht needed 17 games last season to reach 15 points. How good does it feel to know that things are going so much better this season and the team has already reached the 15-point mark after just nine matches?
Timothy Chandler: It’s a lot more reassuring than last season, but we can’t make the mistake of being too pleased and resting on our laurels. The campaign is just too long for that.
bundesliga.com: What lessons have Frankfurt learnt from last season and what is the team doing better?
Chandler: I don’t think you can really compare the two campaigns. We’ve added a lot of new players, worked very hard on the mistakes of last season during pre-season and are now doing things much better as a team. The coach sets us up so well in every game and against every opponent, and we are working as a team to make sure we don’t concede. And up front we have enough quality to score in any game.
'We understand each other very well'
bundesliga.com: What’s noticeable is that Eintracht are still unbeaten against sides competing in European competitions such as FC Schalke 04, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Hertha Berlin, FC Bayern München or most recently Borussia Mönchengladbach, and the team was on a par with all of them. How much quality is in this Frankfurt side?
Chandler: I think we have real quality and have been able to show that against all of those sides you mentioned. But we have also faltered against 'smaller' clubs and dropped points. We have to keep working on that.
bundesliga.com: Bastian Oczipka was the only German in the starting line-up against Mönchengladbach. How does the communication work in such a multicultural side?
Chandler: That’s not a problem for us. We understand each other in one way or another. Our understanding on the pitch works particularly well, even if a lot of fuss is made from the outside.
Watch: Hit the play button on the video below to meet Timothy Chandler and his international teammates at Eintracht before the start of this season:
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bundesliga.com: How are you personally getting on this season with Eintracht and the USMNT?
Chandler: Staying healthy is top of the list for me. After that, I’d like to do my best for the team and try to ensure Eintracht Frankfurt’s safety from relegation as soon as possible. Of course it’s important for me to play as many games for Eintracht as possible so that I can get selected for the national team.
bundesliga.com: Köln come to Frankfurt on Saturday evening. Despite the Billy Goats being known for their defensive work, Eintracht have beaten them 3-2 and 6-2 in the last two campaigns. How tough is the task this time round?
Chandler: Of course it’d be nice to continue this winning run but you can see how Köln have progressed in the last two years and that they fully deserve to be near the top of the table right now. But we are the home side and want the points to remain here. I think with our fans behind us, it’ll be a great game on Saturday evening.
How will Chandler's Frankfurt get on this matchday? Head to the Match Centre to find out more.