Frankfurt's resistance held strong, thanks to their veteran goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and a sturdy defense composed of Tuta, Robin Koch, and Willian Pacho. Despite some wobbles in the second half, Union's struggling side (12 losses in a row) failed to capitalize on the cracks in Frankfurt's armor.
Tuta's departure due to a minor shoulder injury necessitated a switch in the defense, with Smolcic taking his place. Despite a couple of close calls for Union, Trapp's heroics in goal ensured that Frankfurt maintained their lead in the Bundesliga. The spectacle was captured by Union defender Gosens, who along with Koch and Pacho, put up a valiant defense against the persistent Union attackers.
Coach Dino Toppmöller praised his team's decent defensive performance, but acknowledged the need for improvement. "Union had their chances. One header was a hair's breadth away. Trapp made a superb save in the second half, keeping it at bay. Otherwise, it would have been another tense affair. Overall, it was decent. But there are always areas to tweak. We were fortunate to have some luck on our side," he stated.
A defining moment came when Trapp, known to his national teammate Gosens, spectacularly deflected a shot from Fofana, saving it for a corner. Union pushed hard to equalize, but Trapp and his defensive teammates held their ground.
Eintracht Frankfurt's defensive strategy often includes a 3-4-3 formation, allowing for dynamic and unpredictable play. The midfield duo of Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson can shift from their usual double-six roles to create balance and pressure. The team's resilience in defense has been evident in recent games, with the likes of Nnamdi Collins, Tuta, and Arthur Theate serving as the backbone.
The departure of Junior Dina Ebimbe due to an injury has resulted in adjustments in the defensive setup, with Rasmus Kristensen and Nathaniel Brown stepping in as wide defenders. The team's defensive strength has been bolstered by Omar Marmoush's transfer to Manchester City, with Frankfurt managing to score seven goals in five matches following the transfer.
