Eintracht Frankfurt Tactical Analysis

Coach: Adi Hutter

@Eintracht @eintracht_eng

Written by: @JohnWondxr

Retweets are much appreciated.

(I will be looking at the tactics they've primarily used this season, not necessarily their tactics in the most recent games. That being said though, they have a pretty obvious style in all their games regardless.)

After a relatively poor season with Niko Kovac, Frankfurt found themselves with a 7th place finish.

Kovac left on mutual agreement while Haller, Rebic and Jovic were all sold.

Adi Hutter was then brought in as the successor to Kovac.

Although battling their way into Europe, these sales proved to make a massive impact on the season, as Frankfurt are currently in 12th place with only 8 total wins to their name.

That being said, Hutter has a new style with the club, and he's slowly beginning to right the ship.

Starting it off with the basics, is the formation.

Generally, they've spent this season using a 3-4-1-2 formation, which morphs depending on the direction of play.

This is something like how they've lined up normally:

(Personel changes specifically up top of course...)

While in attack, they maintain a similar shape to the way they line up at the start of the game. This gives an additional attacker by eliminating the extra defender that most teams use.

With the extra players in attack, Frankfurt has focused on adding width.

Furthermore, this is done by spreading out the space between the 3 centerbacks while pushing the wingbacks higher up the field.

Both Da Costa and Kostic fill these wing gaps, and are probably two of the most important players on the field for them.

(Kostic especially)

Their build-up begins very deep in the defensive line, whether that's from a dropping midfielder or a long ball from a centerback.

A versatile style of attack is often a signal of a quality team, as they become more difficult to shut down with one tactic.

Looking deeper into these methods...

The first, the dropping CM.

This is initiated by the width created by centerbacks, giving mids a pocket to drop into and retrieve the ball and build.

Simultaniously, the wingbacks are able to push forward, as an option for the deep ball.

The attacking triangle is also important in this scenario, because they work to check in and become another outlet for the midfielder while also creating space for other attackers to capitalize on.

Their choices for striker has aided in this as well, who hold up very well.

The long balls from CB's is their next course of attack. Generally the balls are played towards the strikers, who move more towards the wings.

By drawing defenders with them, strikers create space similar to the last method.

This opens up pockets for others to run into.

That being said, their main course of attack once in these areas has been crossing.

Both Kostic and Da Costa have some of the best crosses in the league and by giving them the ability to move further up the field, Hutter takes advantage of those abilities.

Their style of pressing is also important, because it results in a formation switch.

The team falls into more of a 5-4-1 formation. Because Kostic is more known for attacking ability though... this is where their shortcomings become evident.

They often struggle to revert back to this shape as Kostic gets caught out which results in them shifting to a 4231 formation, unintentionally.

Da Costa moves to a stronger defensive right back position while their left CB moves further wide.

This is often exploited by other teams as Frankfurt loves to press high. All it takes is a couple of smart passes, and suddenly the entire team is recovering backwards.

It seems though, that Frankfurt is on the right track to get back where they want to be.

Tactically, they've got a system very similar to Leipzig, but have struggled to really implement it well.

Evidently, the Bundesliga may be the first sport to return, and Frankfurt is one of the most interesting teams in there.

END OF THREAD

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