Former German international Lothar Matthäus is full of praise for the role Mario Götze is currently playing at Eintracht Frankfurt. The former PSV player was the match-winner last Sunday in the home game against VfB Stuttgart.
Embed from Getty Images
Eintracht Frankfurt secured a crucial 1-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart in a fiercely contested Bundesliga encounter, with Mario Götze emerging as the standout performer.
His decisive role in the match further solidified his reputation as one of the most influential players for Eintracht Frankfurt this season, a team that continues to establish itself as a serious contender in both domestic and European competitions.
The 32-year-old midfielder, who joined Frankfurt from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2022, has been experiencing a resurgence in form that has not gone unnoticed by fans, pundits, and even football legends. Lothar Matthäus, one of Germany’s most revered football figures and a former star for Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, has been particularly vocal in his admiration for Götze’s performances this season.
Götze had already impressed significantly in last month’s Europa League encounters with Ajax, showcasing his skill, vision, and composure under pressure. His contributions have been instrumental in guiding Eintracht Frankfurt to the quarterfinals of the Europa League, where they will face a tough test against English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the challenge ahead, Götze’s form gives Frankfurt fans plenty of reasons for optimism.
Matthäus, speaking to Sky, made an intriguing analogy when describing Götze’s current level of performance. “Red wine gets better with age, and Mario wine in particular,” said Matthäus with a smile. The former Germany captain sees something different in Götze this season, noting a newfound calmness and maturity in his approach. “I see Mario smiling a lot more, he is friendly, appears satisfied. It’s precisely with such a mindset that he can deliver these kinds of performances.”
According to Matthäus, Götze’s transformation is not only evident in his style of play but also in his demeanor and attitude on the pitch. The 2014 World Cup winner, who famously scored the decisive goal for Germany against Argentina in the final, seems to have rediscovered a sense of joy and fulfillment in his game. His passing precision, decision-making, and ability to dictate the tempo of matches have made him a vital component of Frankfurt’s midfield.
Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmöller is also full of praise for Götze’s impact on the team. Toppmöller, who took charge of the club at the start of the season, has been impressed by Götze’s professionalism and ability to raise the standard of play for his teammates. Speaking to ZDF, Toppmöller highlighted Götze’s invaluable experience and composure as essential assets for the team’s ongoing success.
“Mario brings calmness to our game. He is a player of absolute class. He hardly makes mistakes and plays very smart. The fact that he was also decisive with a goal in the match against Stuttgart makes it even better,” Toppmöller stated. The victory over Stuttgart was hard-fought, but Götze’s intelligence and creativity proved to be the difference-maker.
Götze himself appears to be relishing his time in Frankfurt, a city where he has quickly become a fan favorite. Since his arrival from PSV, where he made 77 official appearances, Götze has embraced the challenge of adapting to a new environment and helping Frankfurt achieve its ambitious objectives. His experience in the Bundesliga, coupled with his success abroad, has provided him with a well-rounded skill set that continues to serve him well.
In an interview with Sky, Götze reflected on his positive experience at Frankfurt and his happiness off the field, which he believes contributes to his performances on it. “Our children are healthy, that’s the most important thing. Everything else is just the icing on the cake for me,” Götze remarked, revealing a mature perspective that emphasizes personal fulfillment beyond just football.
Despite his success, Götze remains grounded and focused on the challenges ahead. Eintracht Frankfurt is currently fighting for a top-four finish in the Bundesliga, which would secure Champions League qualification for next season. Additionally, their Europa League journey continues, with the highly anticipated quarterfinal showdown against Tottenham Hotspur looming on the horizon.
The matchup against Tottenham will undoubtedly be a stern test for Frankfurt, but Götze’s recent form gives the team hope of pulling off an upset. With his vision, creativity, and ability to control the tempo of matches, Götze has the potential to dictate proceedings against even the toughest of opponents.
Before facing Tottenham, however, Frankfurt has an important Bundesliga fixture against Werder Bremen on Saturday. Maintaining momentum in the league is crucial for their aspirations, and Götze is expected to play a central role once again. Toppmöller will likely rely heavily on his midfield maestro to guide the team to another positive result.
For Götze, this resurgence feels like a reward for his persistence and dedication. After overcoming setbacks earlier in his career, including health issues and inconsistent performances, he has emerged stronger and more composed than ever. His relationship with Frankfurt’s fans has grown steadily, and his influence on the pitch has become increasingly evident.
As Eintracht Frankfurt prepares for a critical stretch of games, Götze’s brilliance will be needed more than ever. Both his coaches and teammates acknowledge the importance of his experience and skill, and the club’s supporters are eagerly anticipating what he can achieve during the remainder of the season.
With matches against Werder Bremen and Tottenham Hotspur looming, Götze will have ample opportunities to demonstrate why he remains one of the most talented and influential midfielders in the game. And as Matthäus suggested, Götze’s game seems to be aging like fine wine growing richer, deeper, and more impressive with each passing year.
Updated: 01:32, 2 Apr 2025
