Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp said their surprise elimination of heavyweights Barcelona in the Europa League last eight stage was a turning point as they head into Thursday’s semi-final, first leg at West Ham United.
The Germans, winners of the competition in 1980, stunned Barcelona 3-2 in the return leg in Spain following a 1-1 draw in Germany as more than 25,000 of their fans poured into the Nou Camp.
“We worked hard for these moments to have them right now,” Trapp told an online news conference on Tuesday.
“For us it was a special game. Barcelona are one of the biggest names in world football. We eliminated them in two games. We did not lose against them.
“It was pretty tough. It was a key moment for us. They were clear favourites to win against us in an easy way. We showed it is not easy to play against us.”
Thursday will be the second time these teams meet in the semi-finals of a European competition after West Ham won the previous two-legged tie to reach the 1976 Cup Winners’ Cup final.
“We know West Ham will be a different game to Barcelona but the atmosphere is great. It is the semi-finals, one step before the final. Everybody is really focused and you can feel the concentration. That’s what you need before a game like this,” Trapp added.
The Germans, who also reached the last four in 2019 losing to Chelsea, have sparkled on the European stage but at home look set to miss out on international football next season, lying in ninth place in the Bundesliga standings.
Trapp said their domestic form in 2022 was disappointing but the chance of a Europa League final was their immediate focus.
“In the second half of the season we have won only three games, far below our expectations,” Trapp said. “It is what it is. At the same time we are playing a semi-final in the Europa League. A huge goal ahead.
“We want to go all in, we want to go to the final. West Ham have the same style of play as we have, very aggressive and physical. We have to fight, be disciplined and concentrate hard for these two games.”
