Adi Hütter has made a key tactical decision for Eintracht Frankfurt. The coach will now fundamentally use a three-man defence as the standard formation to stabilise a shaky back line that conceded many goals early on.
The team sits in the Bundesliga's mid-table with some points after four games. Recent results show a slight improvement: following a heavy home defeat came a win in Mainz and a draw with Freiburg. The three-at-the-back system was first used in Mainz and delivered the first win of the season.
Personnel Reasons and Benefits
Against Freiburg, Hütter initially reverted to a back four due to injuries and players not being ready to start. The performance was unconvincing, accelerating the system decision. With enough fit centre-backs, the back three will now be the default.
Andreas Möller welcomes the move. The Eintracht legend said he really liked the back three in Mainz. You could also tell it suited Robin Koch, because he has two defenders next to him in the centre.
The switch could have offensive consequences, however. Players like Younes Ebnoutalib, Ritsu Doan or Can Uzun could lose their starting spots, depending on whether Hütter uses a playmaker behind two strikers or a single striker with two wingers. Jonathan Burkardt is expected to remain a starter.
The next test is on 10 October away to rivals RB Leipzig.
This story first appeared at Bild Sport
