NEWS
Frankfurt falters: Does Hütter have to change system after just two rounds?
The return to Frankfurt has been anything but pleasant for the Austrian coach so far. Now he is considering a system change.
Eintracht Frankfurt simply cannot get their defensive problems under control.
After Dino Toppmöller and Albert Riera, it now appears that the new head coach, Adi Hütter, is also failing to do so. In the first two Bundesliga matches, SGE conceded a total of seven goals. A 3-3 draw against Union Berlin was followed by a 1-4 defeat against Augsburg.
"You simply cannot concede seven goals in two games," an annoyed Hütter is quoted by "Hessenschau". "I need to think about how we can perhaps change the basic formation so that we become more stable again."
Just like eight years ago?
Currently, Hütter is having the team play in the 4-2-2-2 system that already led to success at FC Red Bull Salzburg. A switch to a back five, as he did during his first tenure, would be possible.
The current situation is reminiscent of eight years ago – when Hütter first signed in Frankfurt. Already in 2018, Hütter tried a back four in the first Bundesliga matchdays. After the 2-0 opening win against Freiburg and two defeats (1-2 against Werder, 1-3 against BVB), he switched to the back five system practiced under his predecessor Niko Kovac.
And with this change, things also improved: Eintracht finished in seventh place, which at the time was their best league finish since 2012/13.
"It's also a matter of mindset"
However, the coach knows that merely adjusting the basic formation cannot fix the "Eagles'" defensive problems: "Of course, it's also a matter of mindset; we need to get to the bottom of that as quickly as possible."
Furthermore, Eintracht must also work on their physicality. "We are not yet where I envision us to be," Hütter explained. This was particularly evident in the 1-4 defeat against Augsburg, when Hütter's squad deservedly led at halftime and then completely collapsed.
