Rhine-Main Derby
“Not my specialty”: Götze heads Eintracht to victory
Mario Götze (front) cheers with Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe and Ansgar Knauff. The winning goal in the Rhine-Main derby against Mainz was his first of this Bundesliga season. photo
© Arne Dedert/dpa
After Mario Götze’s winning goal against Mainz, Eintracht is well in the race for a European Cup place. It commemorates his World Cup goal in the 2014 final, with which Germany became world champions.
Ten years ago, Götze made Germany world champions with his legendary goal in the final against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro. In the Bundesliga, the 66-time national player returned as a goalscorer after a long dry spell and scored a rare header. “I’ve already managed one or two header goals, but the last one was actually a few years ago,” Götze told the TV station DAZN with a mischievous smile after the final whistle.
Although it was his first goal of the season and only his fourth goal in his second year for Eintracht, it was still his eleventh header in the Bundesliga. “That’s not my specialty,” Götze admitted. “I wouldn’t have thought that given my height.” In total, he scored 61 times in 280 Bundesliga games.
Toppmöller: “That wasn’t a treat”
For Eintracht coach Dino Toppmöller, Götze’s first and somewhat strange goal of the season was not entirely unexpected. “Mario also scored one or two goals in training during the week, something he doesn’t normally do in training,” said the 43-year-old. “He can happily score a few more goals.”
The way Götze maneuvered the ball into Mainz’s goal fit the tough, uneventful game – and belonged in the category of coincidence. A long-range shot from defender Willian Pacho landed at Götze. 05 goalkeeper Robin Zentner parried his lob attempt, but when he followed up he headed the ball in in the 73rd minute. “There was definitely luck involved in the goal, but we’re happy to take that with us,” said Frankfurt’s sports director Markus Krösche. “There is still a lot of work ahead of us.”
“We certainly don’t deserve a beauty award,” agreed Toppmöller. “It wasn’t a treat. But we don’t have to apologize for it.” He was happy that President Peter Fischer, who was leaving after almost 24 years, was able to be given “the gift” at the last home game of his term in office. The club boss, who was known for his straightforwardness, knew how to correctly classify the moderate activity on the pitch. “No one said it would be a terrible game,” said the 67-year-old with a wink.