‘Who the f**k is Mane?”

New Bundesliga season is close, the excitement is at the top, even for those clubs who are not going to fight for the title. And let’s be honest, nobody will fight for the title, apart from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. And that’s the way it is for many seasons now. But it doesn’t mean that other clubs are not excited and without expectations either. For example, Eintracht Frankfurt are this year’s Europa League champions and they are excited about playing in the Champions League.

They are also excited as they see an opportunity for their team to finish within the Champions League place, something they failed to do last season. And what a better way to open the season than at home against current Bundesliga champion. And Frankfurt’s president Peter Fischer is not fazed by the fact that the Bavarians have (again) made a lot of great additions to an already strong squad, and that they are coming to Frankfurt in full force, led by new boy Sadio Mane.

"Who the fuck is Mane? By the way, we always did relatively well with Robert Lewandowski. What power they have up front, how high they press in midfield, how heavily the defense is involved. They're a damn good team. And that Mane knows a little better where the goal is than one or the other – we know that too” said the 66-year-old with a wink in an interview with RTL.

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The 10 consecutive Bundesliga champions will be a favorite in this match, just as they will be favorites in all other matches, and they like playing against Eintracht, since they have won 56 of the 102 Bundesliga matches between the teams - losing only 24. But, if we look at the games played in Frankfurt, then the situation is getting interesting: the home team won 20 games, drew 16 and lost 15. So, there is a reason why Peter Fischer is optimistic about getting some result. Any result, apart from defeat.

"There will be an enthusiastic atmosphere in the stadium again, there will be energy from the ranks, the troops will be pushed. And of course we have a chance. If it ends up being a draw, I don't start crying either" said the Frankfurt owner. 

BUNDESLIGA - matchday 1

Friday

21.30: (7.00) Eintr.Frankfurt (4.60) Bayern (1.45)

Saturday

16.30: (3.40) Augsburg (3.35) Freiburg (2.30)

16.30: (1.90) Wolfsburg (3.60) Werder (4.40)

16.30: (2.30) M' gladbach (3.60) Hoffenheim (3.20)

16.30: (1.90) Union Berlin (3.60) Hertha (4.50)

16.30: (3.25) Bochum (3.20) Mainz (2.45)

19.30: (2.25) Dortmund (3.60) Leverkusen (3.30)

Sunday

16.30: (4.60) Stuttgart (3.70) RB Leipzig (1.85)

18.30: (1.85) Koln (3.70) Schalke (4.60)

***odds are subject to change