Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib reflects on ‘perfect’ start to Bundesliga career

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Borussia Dortmund’s 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night produced many interesting storylines. For the Hessian hosts who managed to scrape out a draw, however, the one point gained surely felt like three. Eintracht Frankfurt’s rebuilt attack successfully produced the game’s most important goal.

New Eintracht January striker signings Younes Ebnoutalib and Arnaud Kalimuendo worked together to produce the 71st-minute 2-2. Ebnoutalib – who only just caught on with Elversberg in the 2. Bundesliga this year – justified his risky January signing immediately by scoring on his Bundesliga debut. 

Ebnoutalib was playing for FC Gießen in the Regionalliga just one year ago. The fact that Eintracht prioritized the 22-year-old late bloomer to fill their biggest squad need this January turned a few heads. Ebnoutalib is now managing to turn a few heads of his own. 

Ebnoutalib reflects on his successful Bundesliga debut

“When I ran towards the goal alone, I was a little overwhelmed,” Ebnoutalib told German public broadcaster Sat 1. “It was completely new to me, in front of such a crowd. Then I touched the ball a bit late and thought to myself: ‘Nooo!’ But then I just tried to shoot it somehow. Luckily, it went in.“

“Scoring a goal on my debut is an amazing feeling,” Ebnoutalib remarked in a separate interview with Sky Germany. “I’m speechless. I’m happy and grateful that the coach gave me the chance to play right from the start.”

“He timed his pass with my run into space perfectly,” Ebnoutalib added of Kalimuendo’s assist. “Everything worked out perfectly.“

GGFN | Peter Weis