Lothar Matthäus on the Bundesliga's fans: 'Every country envies us!'

Speaking during the seven-goal thriller between Cologne and Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 11, Germany legend Lothar Matthäus said the atmospheres in Bundesliga stadiums are the envy of European football.

Despite trailing 4-1 at the time, Cologne fans were in full voice behind their team and spurred their team on to two late goals which almost helped them pick up a point.

While Frankfurt ultimately held onto the victory, Matthäus hailed the defeated home support, saying: "After going 4-1 down, the fans start singing. I find it remarkable how this unity carries through here in Cologne."

Watch: Cologne 3-4 Frankfurt - highlights

The seven-time Bundesliga champion and FIFA World Cup winner with Germany in 1990 went further, praising German fan culture as a whole and its importance for the game.

"The atmosphere these fans create is something every other country wishes for," said Matthäus. "England looks at Germany with envy, Spain and Italy too. All these leagues envy us for our fans in the stadiums. We can still remember the COVID period – without fans, football is only half as enjoyable."

It comes just a week after the Bundesliga clocked more goals than any of Europe's top-five leagues after 10 matchdays and had seen approximately 3.7 million spectators flocking to top-flight stadiums across the first 10 weeks of the season.