Why Oliver Hütter is now speaking up about the defensive crisis

Eintracht Frankfurt are stuck defensively. After the 2-2 draw with VfB Stuttgart on May 16, 2026, Oliver Hütter admitted publicly that the issues at the back are escalating. Sitting 8th in the Bundesliga with 44 points from the 2025/26 season – 11 wins, 11 draws, and 12 losses – the club has found no consistency. Their last five matches ended with zero wins, two draws, and three losses (form: DDLLL).

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. Frankfurt conceded six goals in that run and scored just two themselves. The defense looks like an open goal. Hütter said after the Stuttgart game: "Hinten klemmt’s." – and he’s not talking about a minor issue, but a structural problem.

What exactly is going wrong in defense?

The numbers tell a clear story. Eintracht Frankfurt let in 65 goals last season – only four teams in the league conceded more. With a goal difference of -4 (61:65), the club sits level with relegation candidates. The last three defeats were all 0-2 or 0-3 losses. The backline looks shaky, midfielders arrive too late, and full-backs leave too much space on the wings.

Hütter favors a compact back four, but communication between center-backs and full-backs keeps breaking down. Against Stuttgart (2-2), Frankfurt conceded two goals from set pieces in the first half – a pattern that has repeated multiple times in recent months. "We need to get better in organization," the manager stressed after the match. Yet solutions are still missing.

Who is under the microscope in defense?

The spotlight is on Willi Orban, the club captain and defensive anchor. The Hungarian has struggled with form and was subbed off in several recent games. Evan Ndicka – one of the most expensive defenders in the league – has also looked shaky in duels. The two center-backs are supposed to form the foundation, but their mistakes are costing points. Then there’s the uncertainty in goal: Kevin Trapp (35) remains experienced but his reflexes are fading. Backup options are thin – a transfer would be risky.

The full-back positions are another headache. Ante Rebić and Randal Kolo Muani – both attackers by trade – are being asked to do more defensively than they’re comfortable with. The wing-backs Stefan Bell and Evan Ndicka (when deployed there) aren’t coping. Hütter has been tinkering with different systems, but a clear fix isn’t in sight.

What’s next for Eintracht Frankfurt?

The summer break is near, yet the defensive woes must be addressed before the new Bundesliga season kicks off. Hütter will need to rebuild parts of the squad over the coming weeks – either through new signings or tactical tweaks. Rumors about Willi Orban leaving persist, but the club denies them. Instead, Frankfurt may turn to young talent like Hugo Larsson (20), who already saw minutes last preseason.

One bright spot: the attack is holding up. With Randal Kolo Muani (14 goals in 2025/26) and Omar Marmoush, the club has dangerous forwards. But without a functional defense, even that won’t be enough. Fans are already demanding answers – and Hütter must deliver before the new season begins. The question isn’t whether the defense is the problem, but how long it will remain one.