Eintracht Coach Hütter Is Concerned With More Than Just the Tactical System

The question of the tactical approach continues to occupy Eintracht Frankfurt. Should coach Adi Hütter switch from a back four to a back three for greater defensive stability ahead of Saturday night’s Bundesliga away game at RB Leipzig (6:30 p.m./Sky)? Or does he need to focus primarily on getting the team’s second-half struggles under control? The Hessians have led at halftime four times so far, but have only managed to hold on to the lead until the final whistle once.

Ahead of the first game after the international break, Hütter made it clear: “I’m not going to scrap the back four—on the contrary: switching to a back three would mean someone up front would have to make way.”»

“I Can Count Myself Lucky”

A change could therefore come at the expense of Jonathan Burkardt or Younes Ebnoutalib. Both were among the pros who recently made the XXL squad selected by national team coach Jürgen Klopp. But neither of them managed to record a point while wearing the national team jersey.

At Eintracht, however, Burkardt has already scored six goals in competitive matches, while his teammate has five. “As a club coach, I consider myself lucky to have two forwards who have not only gotten off to a good start with goals but also work very well together,” said Hütter. The 56-year-old left open, however, whether the duo will start together in Leipzig.

The coach is drawing hope from the team’s away record. After a 3-3 draw at Union Berlin to kick off the season, Frankfurt won 3-1 at Mainz 05. RB, on the other hand, lost its last home game at the end of January. “We have to be bold, defend well, run a lot, and always stay alert—especially in the second half,” said Hütter. 

A “Funny” Neururer Anecdote

Together with his coaching staff, he is searching for explanations for the recurring problems since the season resumed. These are mostly individual issues, Hütter said, citing lapses in concentration. Longtime Bundesliga coach Peter Neururer recently recounted an unusual measure: Due to similar problems, he once didn’t even bring his team back to the locker room, but left them on the field instead. “I found that very, very funny,” Hütter said of the Neururer anecdote.

Malik Pimpong is out with minor ailments, as is Jeremiaha Maluze, who is ill. Can Uzun, on the other hand, has returned healthy from the Turkish national team and was able to train normally.