Eintracht's Midfield Woes as Skhiri Injury Looms
In a disappointing turn of events for Conference League stars Eintracht Frankfurt, the team has found themselves dealing with a major personnel crisis in their defensive midfield as the season winds down. Key player Ellyes Skhiri sustained a thigh injury against PAOK Thessaloniki on Thursday and won't be back until further notice, as announced by the club on Friday. Head coach Dino Toppmöller wasn't exactly thrilled about the situation, stating, "For me, Ellyes' injury is more serious than the defeat," following the team's 2-1 loss against the Greek side.
It remains unclear at this point if Skhiri will play another game this year. Toppmöller only offered, "He's out for now. There will be another imaging in five days." The absence of Skhiri, whose ball security, running power, and goal threat will be sorely missed, is undoubtedly a significant blow to the team.
With captain Sebastian Rode still on the sidelines, Toppmöller will have to get creative in the midfield for the Bundesliga clash against FC Augsburg on Sunday (19:30/DAZN). Possible solutions include veteran Makoto Hasebe and Kristijan Jakic, who earned a yellow card in the Conference League.
Former world champion Mario Götze could also lend a helping hand in midfield, as his recent struggles to secure a regular offensive spot make him an intriguing option. Additionally, Robin Koch is set to make his comeback to the defense after recovering from a calf injury, and his availability will further complicate Toppmöller's team selection decisions.
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- In light of Skhiri's injury and Rode's ongoing absences, Eintracht Frankfurt remains determined to keep pushing for a year-end surge in the Bundesliga.
- The coach of Eintracht Frankfurt, Dino Toppmöller, was visibly disappointed by Skhiri's injury, considering it to be more impactful than the team's 2-1 defeat against PAOK Saloniki.
- The upcoming Bundesliga match against FC Augsburg in Frankfurt on Main will serve as an opportunity for Eintracht to display their resilience and adaptability in the absence of key midfielders like Skhiri and Rode.
- Dino Toppmöller hinted that Skhiri might not be available until the end of the year, forcing the team to reevaluate their midfield strategies for the remaining Bundesliga fixtures.
- Fervent supporters of Eintracht Frankfurt will be closely monitoring their team's performance in Frankfurt, eager to see how they can overcome the challenges posed by Skhiri and Rode's unavailability.
- Götze, a former world champion, is an intriguing candidate to assist the team in their midfield woes, having demonstrated versatility and experience in various roles throughout his career.
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