“The goal is logically to win, in a good way,” said head coach Dino Toppmöller before the game on Thursday (9 p.m./RTL+) against Finnish champions HJK Helsinki. “We have a good trend and want to stay in the flow, with the same intensity and joy of playing.”
The Hessians recently celebrated two successes in a row in the Bundesliga. In Group G they had previously beaten FC Aberdeen (2:1) and lost at PAOK Thessaloniki (1:2).
The 2022 Europa League winner will have to do without the suspended national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp against the Finns . Jens Grahl will represent him and celebrate his debut in an international competition. “It will be a very emotional game for me because my son can see me play for the first time,” said the 35-year-old substitute keeper.
He also had to represent Trapp for the first time in the last league away game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim . Number one was out because of back problems. “Kevin is doing better,” reported Toppmöller. Trapp should decide for himself whether he can be in goal again on Sunday against Borussia Dortmund.
The injured captain Sebastian Rode and the left winger Philipp Max , who was not registered for the Conference League, will also be out . Niels Nkounkou will replace him in the starting line-up.
It is unclear whether star player Mario Götze will return to the starting line-up. The world champion was recently absent due to the birth of his second child, a daughter, and a yellow-red suspension. “He’s in a good mood, seems relaxed and relaxed,” said Toppmöller about Götze, who overall made a dissatisfied impression. The coach had arranged to meet with him. Most recently, Götze’s midfield rivals Farès Chaïbi and Ansgar Knauff had shown good performances.
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