Eintracht Frankfurt face a significant squad crisis ahead of their Bundesliga away match at SC Paderborn 07 this Saturday. The team, currently sitting 8th in the table with 11 points from 8 games, is weakened by these potential absences. Both captain Robin Koch and midfielder Mario Götze are major doubts, weakening Adi Hütter's side during a key period of the season.
The centre-back Koch missed full training due to a knee issue. Coach Hütter expressed hope it would work out but also acknowledged the possibility it might not. Götze is sidelined with a middle ear infection. Hütter stated the player himself had expressed the wish not to travel because he is not fully fit. This rules out a potential on-pitch meeting with his brother Felix Götze, who plays for Paderborn.
The potential absences come at an awkward time for Frankfurt. The team sits 8th after eight matchdays with three wins, two draws, and three losses, having scored 13 goals but conceded 18 for a negative goal difference. Recent form over the last five matches shows inconsistency with three wins and two defeats, though the two most recent victories against Hamburger SV provide a confidence boost. In the 3-1 home win on 1 November, Younes Ebnoutalib scored and is the team's current top scorer with 6 goals this season.
The upcoming opponent, SC Paderborn, sits 14th and offers a chance for more points in the race for European spots, with Frankfurt currently seven points behind leaders Bayern München. However, Frankfurt's squad planning is being severely tested. Beyond the established players, this could mean minutes for younger talents who recently made their Bundesliga debut. The current standings and fixtures underline the importance of points in the coming weeks.
Eintracht will therefore have to make the trip to Paderborn with a depleted squad. Saturday's match will reveal how the team responds to this challenge.
This story first appeared at Bild Sport
