Without Lindstrøm, Glasner guarantees starting spot for Borré

Eintracht Frankfurt head-coach Oliver Glasner has guaranteed Colombia striker Rafael Santos Borré a place in the starting XI this weekend against Stuttgart.

Jesper Lindstrøm’s loss to an ankle injury is Rafael Santos Borré’s gain. That fact was unequivocally stated by Eintracht Frankfurt trainer Oliver Glasner at his Thursday pre-match press conference. The disaffected Colombian striker will get his chance immediately, as per Glasner.

“This is Rafael Borré’s chance,” Glasner told members of the assembled press corps, “He’s more than earned it. I’m convinced he’ll do a great job. He always sacrifices himself for the team. I am convinced that he will bring his strengths to bear. As bitter as Jesper’s absence is, we all have that much trust in Rafa.”

Relegated to a bench role thanks to the emerge of star French striker Randal Kolo Muani, Borré has still displayed fine form as substitute since the turn of the calendar year. The Cafetero scored off the bench against Schalke on matchday 16. Starting in place of Lindstrøm in the DFB Pokal, Borré also netted a goal in the DFB Pokal victory over regional rivals SV Darmstadt 98.

Glasner hinted that there would be changes to his tactical constellation this time. Borré slotted into Lindstrøm’s regular spot in the domestic cup. Glasner seemed to indicate that he would not deploy a level two-striker set using Muani and Borré. Instead, Borré will probably work behind the Frenchman in a service striker role on the half-lane.

“Compared to Jesper, Rafa is more of a real strike andhas a little more killer instinct in the penalty area,” Glasner explained, “He has played the half-position many times. He has a good intuitive feel for space and is perhaps even our best player when playing against the ball.”

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