Frankfurt vs Freiburg

Eintracht Frankfurt will look to build on their promising start to 2025 when they host Freiburg at Deutsche Bank Park on Tuesday in their 17th match of the Bundesliga season. After a solid 1-0 victory over St Pauli on Saturday, Frankfurt will aim to keep their momentum going as they face a Freiburg side that secured a narrow 3-2 win over Holstein Kiel on January 11. Currently sitting third in the table with 30 points, Frankfurt will be keen to extend their positive run, while Freiburg, with 27 points from 16 games, are in sixth position, just a few points behind their hosts.

Frankfurt’s latest victory against St Pauli was not without its challenges. Despite dominating the match in terms of possession and shots, the hosts were fortunate not to concede, as St Pauli created five major chances and registered an expected goals (xG) value of 2.25. However, Omar Marmoush’s clinical finish in the 32nd minute proved to be the match-winner, giving Frankfurt a hard-fought three points. The goal came after a well-worked move, and despite St Pauli’s pressure, Frankfurt held on to their slender advantage.

Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was quick to emphasize that there were aspects of the team’s performance that needed improvement, even after the victory. Trapp acknowledged that, while a 1-0 win might seem perfect on paper, the team had been fortunate in many ways. Reflecting on the match, he noted, “If you look at the 90 minutes, there are certainly still a few things we need to improve. We let ourselves fall too far behind with the goal and almost didn’t get forward in the second half.” Trapp’s assessment of the match underlined the importance of maintaining composure and improving their tactical approach, especially against tougher opposition.

Frankfurt’s head coach, Dino Toppmoller, will undoubtedly be relieved to have secured a victory following a disappointing run of form that saw the team lose four and draw one of their previous five matches. The win against St Pauli was critical in restoring confidence, as the club had struggled to maintain their early-season form. In total, Frankfurt have scored 36 goals and conceded 23 in the Bundesliga this season, placing them among the league’s top offensive teams. Their 36 goals represent the third-best attacking record in the league, while their defensive efforts, with 23 goals conceded, rank them joint seventh-best. This combination of solid attack and resilient defense has helped the club stay near the top of the table, and Toppmoller will hope to see more of the same against Freiburg.

However, Frankfurt’s recent home form has been less consistent, with just one win in their last three games at Deutsche Bank Park. Despite this, the team’s overall home record remains strong, with five victories in their last five matches at home before the draw and loss in their most recent outings. The club has only lost once in their past 12 home matches, a statistic that will give them confidence heading into this fixture. Toppmoller’s side will need to show improvement in their overall approach, especially in the second halves of matches, to ensure they can remain competitive in the race for the top spots.

On the other hand, Freiburg come into the game with their own set of challenges, despite their win against Holstein Kiel. Much like Frankfurt, Freiburg were perhaps a little fortunate to emerge victorious, as they failed to create any big chances throughout the game. Defensively, however, Freiburg stood firm until the 85th minute when Holstein Kiel finally broke through and scored their first goal. Freiburg's resilience in defense was praised by head coach Julian Schuster, although the team did struggle to keep their shape and discipline as the game wore on.

Captain Christian Gunter echoed Schuster’s sentiments, acknowledging that Freiburg should not have allowed themselves to be pushed back so much during the match. He remarked, “We let ourselves be pushed in at the back and had no more order. Fortunately, we managed to get time, but that shouldn’t happen to us.” Despite these defensive concerns, Gunter was quick to highlight the positives of Freiburg’s season thus far, particularly their points tally. “Basically, it’s outstanding for us that we have 27 points after 16 matchdays. We want to continue there,” he added. With Freiburg sitting comfortably in the top half of the table, they will look to keep their solid points haul intact, though Schuster will be aware that the team needs to show more consistency to challenge for a European spot.

In recent weeks, Freiburg’s form has been inconsistent. Over their past five matches, they have managed two wins, two losses, and one draw. This kind of form suggests that Freiburg are struggling to find any real momentum, and their inability to maintain consistency could prove costly as the season progresses. The team has shown they are capable of scoring goals, as evidenced by their 3-2 win over Holstein Kiel and their recent attacking form, but they have also been leaking goals at the other end. Freiburg conceded nine goals in their last five matches, which highlights the need for better defensive organization and discipline. While Freiburg have found the net in their past two matches, their defensive frailties have been exposed on more than one occasion.

One area of concern for Freiburg will be their poor away form. The club has yet to secure a win in their last six away matches, a stretch that includes four losses and two draws. This record on the road has left them vulnerable in a highly competitive league, and Freiburg will need to improve their performances away from home if they are to challenge for higher honors this season. The team’s struggles on the road will be a major focus for Schuster in the buildup to this match, as they face a difficult challenge against an Eintracht Frankfurt side that will be looking to capitalize on their own home advantage.

Despite the challenges, Freiburg’s attack has been more potent in recent weeks. They have scored seven goals in their last two matches, an impressive haul that highlights their potential going forward. However, their inability to keep clean sheets or maintain defensive stability has been a consistent issue. The Breisgau-Brasilianer will need to strike a better balance between attack and defense if they are to compete with the top teams in the Bundesliga.

In terms of tactics, Freiburg’s approach has generally been one of resilience and compactness, but they have often found themselves on the back foot in recent games. Against stronger opposition like Frankfurt, they will need to improve their ability to keep possession and manage the game in order to avoid being pushed back too much. While Freiburg’s attack has the potential to break down any defense, their defensive issues have made them a more vulnerable side than their position in the table might suggest.

Looking ahead to the match against Frankfurt, Freiburg will need to find a way to nullify Frankfurt’s attacking threat while also taking advantage of any opportunities that come their way. A disciplined defensive performance, combined with a clinical attack, will be essential if Freiburg are to secure a positive result. On the other hand, Frankfurt will be eager to build on their recent win and extend their good form at home, where they have been difficult to beat.

As the two sides prepare for this crucial fixture, both teams have clear areas to work on. Frankfurt will be looking to improve their second-half performances and avoid defensive lapses, while Freiburg will aim to address their issues at the back and continue their recent offensive output. With both teams in the hunt for European places, this encounter promises to be an exciting and closely contested match.

In conclusion, Eintracht Frankfurt and Freiburg both face important challenges as they head into this match. Frankfurt will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and build on their positive start to 2025, while Freiburg will be hoping to improve their away form and tighten up defensively. The outcome of this match could prove crucial in the context of both teams’ ambitions for the remainder of the season, making this a must-watch fixture for fans of both sides.