Frankfurt Vs M'gladbach

Eintracht Frankfurt will be aiming to build on their promising start to the 2024-25 Bundesliga season when they host Borussia Monchengladbach at Deutsche Bank Park on Saturday. This will be their fourth fixture in the new campaign, and the home side is eager to secure their third victory after an encouraging run of form. Having amassed three points from three matches, Eintracht currently sit in sixth place in the standings. In their most recent outing, the Eagles earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Wolfsburg on September 14, 2024. Meanwhile, their opponents, Borussia Monchengladbach, find themselves in 13th place, also with three points, but coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss to Stuttgart on the same date.

Match Preview

Eintracht Frankfurt’s win over Wolfsburg was a result of some individual brilliance and tactical resilience. One of the key players in that victory was winger Omar Marmoush, who scored both of Eintracht’s goals, including a crucial penalty in the 82nd minute to seal the win. Marmoush’s second goal came just minutes after Wolfsburg had equalized through Ridle Baku in the 76th minute. Despite controlling only 40% of the possession, Eintracht’s clinical finishing and ability to capitalize on their chances made the difference in the game.

The statistics reveal that Frankfurt's defense was under significant pressure during the match, with Wolfsburg managing to take 18 shots, 11 of which were fired from inside the penalty area. However, Eintracht's defense stood firm, and their ability to withstand that pressure contributed to the victory. This was not an isolated case for Dino Toppmöller’s side, as they have been tested defensively in their previous Bundesliga matches as well.

The win against Wolfsburg followed a 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim in Frankfurt’s second league game on August 31, 2024. In that match, the Eagles delivered a strong performance, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. It was a solid response after their opening-day defeat to Borussia Dortmund, where they were handed a 2-0 loss on August 24, 2024. This defeat to Dortmund, a perennial Bundesliga powerhouse, was not entirely surprising, but it highlighted some early-season defensive vulnerabilities for Frankfurt.

Toppmöller, who took charge of the team ahead of the new season, will be pleased with his team’s overall start but remains cautious about their defensive fragility. Eintracht Frankfurt has allowed 39 shots against them in their three Bundesliga matches so far, which is a concern, even though they have only conceded five goals in total. While their defensive record is not alarming compared to other teams in the league, the frequency of shots they are allowing is something that will need to be addressed if they want to compete for European places this season.

In addition to their league form, Eintracht have also performed well in cup competitions. They have won three of their four competitive games this season across all competitions, scoring eight goals and conceding five. However, Toppmöller will want to see more consistency from his side, especially in terms of their defensive structure. Their two league wins this season were their first Bundesliga victories in seven matches, as the club endured a difficult run toward the end of the previous campaign. During that period, Eintracht drew twice and lost three times, a stretch that ultimately cost them a higher finish in the league.

Borussia Monchengladbach’s Struggles

Borussia Monchengladbach, on the other hand, have had a more challenging start to their Bundesliga campaign. Manager Gerardo Seoane’s side has struggled to find form, losing two of their three matches thus far. Their most recent defeat came against Stuttgart, where they were beaten 3-1, compounding their early-season woes. Before that, they lost 3-2 to reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on August 31, 2024, in a thrilling match that saw them come from behind before ultimately succumbing to a late winner.

While Seoane might argue that facing last season’s top two teams in their opening three fixtures is a tough schedule for any side, he will still be disappointed with how his team has performed, especially defensively. Against Leverkusen, Borussia Monchengladbach showed great resilience to fight back from 2-0 down, with Alassane Pléa scoring in the 85th minute to level the match. However, their defense let them down once again, as they conceded a late goal just minutes later to lose the game. This inability to hold onto points in crucial moments has been a recurring issue for Monchengladbach in recent seasons.

Seoane’s men also failed to hold onto a draw against Stuttgart after they had equalized in the 27th minute through Nathan Ngoumou, having fallen behind in the 14th minute. Despite this fightback, Monchengladbach couldn’t prevent Stuttgart from retaking the lead and extending it further, resulting in yet another frustrating defeat. Their only victory so far came in their second game of the season, a 2-0 win over VfL Bochum on August 31, 2024, which provided a brief respite from their otherwise poor form.

Monchengladbach’s struggles are not limited to this season. The club has been in poor form for some time, winning just two of their last 10 matches in all competitions. During this period, they have drawn three times and lost five, a run that highlights their inconsistency and inability to string together positive results. Their away form has also been a significant issue, with just three wins in their last 17 matches on the road. While their 2-0 win against Bochum was a rare bright spot, Seoane will need to find a way to get his team performing better on their travels if they are to improve their league position.