Frankfurt's Missing Piece: Skhiri's Absence Hurts Eintracht
Eintracht Frankfurt's Conference League journey has taken a hit as they face a personnel crisis in their defensive midfield. Key player Ellyes Skhiri sustained a thigh injury against PAOK Thessaloniki and will be out "until further notice," according to the team's announcement. Toppmöller wasn't pleased with the loss, expressing that Skhiri's injury was more concerning than the team's defeat.
Skhiri's absence will be significantly felt, with his ball security, running power, and goal threat amongst the skills that will be dearly missed. Toppmöller may consider whether Skhiri will regain fitness for any remaining 2023 games, but a follow-up scan will be conducted in five days to provide more clarity.
Captain Sebastian Rode also remains sidelined, further adding to Toppmöller's woes. He will now have to get creative in the defensive midfield as Eintracht Frankfurt prepares to face FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday (19:30/DAZN). Possible alternatives include veteran Makoto Hasebe and Kristijan Jakic, who received a yellow card in the Conference League.
A potential solution lies in the form of former world champion Mario Götze, who has shown promise in defensive midfield roles in the past. Götze's stint in the offense has been challenging recently, but a change of position could put his talent to good use.
Eintracht Frankfurt's defense is set to welcome back Robin Koch, who has recovered from a calf injury. Whether Koch starts or not remains to be seen, but his return adds a spice of excitement to the team's prospects against FC Augsburg.
Injury Woes
Eintracht Frankfurt's defensive midfield issues stem from the injuries to Skhiri and Rode. In response, the team has considered various options to maintain a solid midfield presence in the upcoming Bundesliga game against FC Augsburg.
- Hugo Larsson is projected to anchor the midfield, with Ellyes Skhiri (if fit) as his partner, ensuring a stable base that allows for fluid counter-attacks.
- Mario Götze works effectively as an attacking midfielder, but his versatility could see him transition into a more defensive role, offering additional midfield depth.
- Ansgar Knauff is another prospect who could be deployed in a more defensive midfield position to support the team's structure and maintain cohesion.
The exact midfield formation will depend on the tactical decisions made by coach Toppmöller, and as the team navigates this challenging period, the need for adaptability and cooperation will become increasingly important.
