Eintracht Frankfurt secured their third consecutive pre-season win, beating third-tier SV Waldhof Mannheim 1-0 (0-0) in front of nearly 12,000 fans at the Carl-Benz-Stadion. Jonathan Burkardt scored the winner in the 51st minute after a build-up involving Elias Baum and Ansgar Knauff. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 8th in Bundesliga, 44 pts, 11W-11D-12L from 34 games, recent form DLLDL.
How did Eintracht Frankfurt play in the first half?
The grueling 10-day training camp without a rest day took its toll. Fatigued legs, slow tempo, and slack pressing defined the first 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Kauã Santos made an early save (9’), while Burkardt had Frankfurt’s only clear chance after a Knauff and Can Uzun combination (33’) – but Nijhuis denied him with a strong stop.
Who decided the game?
Adi Hütter made changes at halftime: Michael Zetterer replaced Santos, Mario Götze came on for Oscar Højlund, and Jeremiaha Maluze took Robin Koch’s spot. The substitutions injected energy. Maluze delivered a cross behind the defense, Baum squared to Burkardt, who finished clinically for 1-0 (51’). Burkardt had further opportunities (56’/59’), but Zetterer’s saves against Ulbricht (70’) and Gregorio (77’) preserved the clean sheet.
What’s next?
Hütter gave his players a break until Tuesday before training resumes on Wednesday. The next friendly is against Hull City on Saturday. „The lads gave everything, even on their last legs. They executed what we worked on in training,” the coach said. Last result: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 VfB Stuttgart (2026-05-16).
