As the international break approached, Eintracht Frankfurt faced Mainz in a rather uneventful goalless match. However, in the 80th minute, Ritsu Doan dribbled past two defenders and scored the decisive goal with his left foot, igniting celebration and relief in the Nordwestkurve, the stadium’s most energetic section.
The match against Mainz epitomized an Arbeitssieg (a hard-fought win). The first half was lacking in inspiration from both teams, prompting Eintracht’s sporting CEO Markus Krösche to remark that it was “not especially related to football.”
In recent competitive outings, Eintracht has concentrated on shutting down their opponents, and rightly so, having recently become one of the Bundesliga’s most vulnerable defensive squads. This concerning trend also extends to the UEFA Champions League, where they conceded three goals against Bayer Leverkusen and further deteriorated with four against both Union Berlin and Borussia Mönchengladbach, and five against Atlético Madrid and Liverpool in Europe.
It’s clear that winning while conceding so many goals is not sustainable, prompting Eintracht to adopt a more defensive style reminiscent of German catenaccio, as noted by opposing coach Antonio Conte.
For me, Eintracht Frankfurt is one of the must-follow clubs in global football, yet they remain surprisingly underrated. If you stroll through the Frankfurter Stadtwald on a matchday, you can feel the energy as fans savor their traditional bratwurst and gear up for the match. Once inside, visiting the club museum quickens your pulse as you absorb the rich history. A visit wouldn’t be complete without witnessing the animated discussions among fans at the Waldtribüne, featuring club-related guests.
If that doesn’t move you, listening to the club’s stirring anthem, “Im Herzen von Europa“, sung with fervor will make you feel like a true local, even if you have no personal ties to the River Main. This is an emotional club with a compelling narrative.
Last season’s narrative was notably positive, with Dino Toppmöller’s side securing a commendable third place in the Bundesliga, especially after losing Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in January.
The departure of Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool over the summer raised expectations, but the steep decline in form was unexpected. The core squad remains intact, and Jonathan Burkardt, a local talent hailing from Darmstadt, was a key €22 million signing.
Burkardt has been impressive, even earning the Bundesliga’s player of the month award for October after netting doubles against SC Freiburg and St. Pauli.
It’s essential to recognize that strikers come in various styles. While Marmoush and Ekitike were classic counterattacking forwards, thriving on Umschaltmomente (transitional moments), Burkardt embodies a traditional center-forward role with excellent instincts, serving as a first line of defense gegen den Ball (against the ball).
Despite Burkardt’s commendable performance, adapting to a new attacking focal point can take time for any team. This adaptation remains even with unchanged formations from the previous season.
Additionally, several players have struggled with their form this season.
Kauã Santos, viewed as a future star goalkeeper, returned from a six-month layoff due to a torn ACL only to lose his spot to summer arrival Werder Bremen‘s Michael Zetterer.
Captain Robin Koch has experienced a decline in form, leading to his omission from the November squad by Germany’s manager Julian Nagelsmann. However, he has shown signs of returning to form in the last two matches, albeit too late for Nagelsmann.
A look down the roster reveals numerous players whose performances have dipped, including Nnamdi Collins, Arthur Theate, Hugo Larsson, Ellyes Skhiri, and Ansgar Knauff.
Although Doan began his time at Eintracht with two doubles in his first three competitive matches after moving from Freiburg, he struggled until delivering his match-winning strike last weekend.
Another concern is the forward substitutes; both Elye Wahi and Michy Batshuayi have yet to make a significant impact, with Wahi still searching for his first goal in 17 Bundesliga matches.
Despite the number of underperforming players, there are a few standout performances. The most notable being Can Uzun, who has excelled with five goals and three assists but has been sidelined since a muscular injury sustained against Heidenheim.
Farès Chaïbi has developed into a more well-rounded midfielder, repaying the club’s patience with five assists in the league.
Additionally, Denmark international Rasmus Kristensen has consistently delivered solid performances on the right flank.
Eintracht’s next challenge is an exciting fixture away against fellow Traditionsverein (traditional club) FC Cologne under Saturday night lights. This match kicks off a hectic period leading up to Christmas, featuring crucial matches in both the Bundesliga and Champions League against teams like RB Leipzig, Leverkusen, Atalanta, and Barcelona.
Will Toppmöller’s team successfully blend the dynamic, attractive football from last season with the defensive discipline displayed in the matches against Napoli and Mainz? Despite some struggles in the autumn, I remain optimistic about Eintracht’s potential, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them clinch a top-four spot in Germany by the end of May.