Ahead of Frankfurt’s participation in the Europa League Final with Rangers, I have taken some clips from their 2-1 Semi Final 1st leg victory over West Ham to help build a picture of the characteristics found within Oliver Glasner’s side.
Starting Eleven
We will see from the later video analysis that while the default shape could be described as a 3-4-3, the positions that certain players take up depends largely on the phase of the game.
In defense Glasner has three very robust and atheltic defenders, all of whom have a solid technical base in which to advance the ball into midfield. We will see that Hinteregger is the central figure, both literally and figuratively, to Frankfurt’s build up play as he attempts a high volume of line splitting passes.
In Frankfurt’s central midfield Djibril Sow and Sebastian Rode form a terrific partnership, both working in service of each other to ensure their is adequate support in attack and sufficient defensive pressure to generate counter attacking opportunities.
Knauff and Kostic typically drop back into the defensive line to prevent the opponent from playing direct balls into the channels, while also being expected to shuttle forward and provide width in attack as the ball travels forward.
Kamada and Lindstrom operate almost exclusively in the half spaces but will frequently rotate positions in support of Borre as they pull the opposition apart with their quick movements in transition. Each have a high level of technical ability, but their pace also allows them to latch onto through passes over distance.
Borre is a terrific striker, who will frequently drop off the high line to create central overloads and link by spreading play out to the wide areas. His energy levels then allow him to advance forward and attack the box, using his cunning movement to attack spaces like he had never left the highline in the first place.
Frankfurt Attacking Analysis
In this video we take a closer look at how Frankfurt overcame West Ham’s zonal defensive set up, using basic build up play as well as capitalizing on moments of transition.
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Frankfurt Defensive Analysis
In these clips we look at how Glasner has set up some basic pressing triggers to allow his side to press effectively from the front. We also look at how the movement of Kostic and Knauff allows them to defend on the flanks, as well as identifying a couple of weaknesses that Rangers may look to exploit.
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With a basic understanding of how Oliver Glasner’s Eintracht Frankfurt operate, head over to my tactical analysis of their Europa League Final clash with Rangers from May of 2022.