Eintracht Frankfurt Secures Late Victory Against Mainz
As the international break approached, Eintracht Frankfurt faced off against Mainz, resulting in a rather uneventful goalless first half. However, late in the game, Ritsu Doan delivered a moment of magic in the 80th minute, weaving through two defenders and scoring with his left foot, sparking joy and relief among the fans in the Nordwestkurve, the most vocal section of the stadium.
This match epitomized the term Arbeitssieg, a victory achieved through hard work. Eintracht’s sporting CEO, Markus Krösche, described the first half as lacking excitement, stating, “It didn’t have much to do with football.” Recently, the team has focused on strengthening their defense following a string of poor performances where they conceded an alarming number of goals—four against Union Berlin and Borussia Mönchengladbach, and five against both Atlético Madrid and Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.
To address these issues, Eintracht shifted their approach, taking notes from Napoli’s defensive style, which opposing coach Antonio Conte compared to the German catenaccio.
Frankfurt is a club that embodies passion and tradition. On matchdays, fans gather in the Frankfurter Stadtwald to enjoy bratwurst and chat about football. Inside the stadium, the club’s museum showcases a rich history, and the singing of their anthem, “Im Herzen von Europa“, resonates deeply, creating a connection among supporters.
Last season was a remarkable one for Dino Toppmöller’s squad, finishing third in the Bundesliga despite the loss of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in January. The departure of Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool this summer understandably led to tempered expectations, yet the foundation of a strong team remained, with Jonathan Burkardt joining from Darmstadt for €22 million.
Burkardt has exceeded expectations and was named Bundesliga Player of the Month for October, thanks to his impressive performances against SC Freiburg and St. Pauli, scoring two goals in each match.
While strikers exhibit various styles, Burkardt’s capability as a traditional center forward differs from the quick counterattacking nature of Marmoush and Ekitike. Nevertheless, adapting to a new focal point in attack can require time for any team, regardless of the formations used.
Additionally, some players have struggled with form so far this season. Kauã Santos, who recently returned from a six-month injury layoff, lost his starting position to new signing Michael Zetterer from Werder Bremen. Robin Koch, currently the captain, has seen a dip in performance, which led to his omission from the German national team by manager Julian Nagelsmann—though he’s shown improvement lately.
Several players, including Nnamdi Collins, Arthur Theate, Hugo Larsson, Ellyes Skhiri, and Ansgar Knauff, have not performed at their best during this campaign. Meanwhile, Doan, who had a strong start to his Eintracht career, made a significant impact recently with his winning goal.
However, concerns remain regarding the front-line substitutes. Elye Wahi and Michy Batshuayi have yet to make substantial contributions, with Wahi still searching for his first Bundesliga goal after 17 appearances.
Despite the challenges, there have also been bright spots, such as Can Uzun, who has shone with five goals and three assists before a recent injury against Heidenheim. Farès Chaïbi has developed into a more well-rounded midfielder, contributing five assists throughout the season. Rasmus Kristensen has also been a consistent presence on the right side of defense.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s next match is a compelling encounter against FC Cologne, just an hour’s train ride away, as they prepare for a busy schedule leading up to Christmas. Key fixtures in both the Bundesliga and Champions League against teams like RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, and Barcelona await them.
Only time will tell if Toppmöller’s side can blend the visually appealing football displayed last season with the solid defensive approach shown in recent matches. Despite some inconsistencies, there’s optimism surrounding Eintracht’s potential to secure a top-four spot in Germany by May.
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