Eintracht Frankfurt lost 1:3 to TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga and remains winless in its fifth obligatory match of the year. The defense collapsed after the equalizer, underscoring the team's ongoing crisis. Interim coach Dennis Schmitt noted errors in all opponent goals.
Eintracht Frankfurt suffered a 1:3 defeat to TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga in front of 58,500 spectators at Deutsche Bank Park. Arnaud Kalimuendo gave the home side the lead with a fine goal in the 18th minute (1:0). But Max Moerstedt equalized shortly after halftime in the 52nd minute, triggering the collapse. Ozan Kabak scored the 2:1 in the 60th minute, and Aurèle Amenda netted an own goal in the 65th minute for 1:3.
This loss marks the third since New Year's and the second under interim coach Dennis Schmitt, who, alongside ex-pro Alex Meier, took over after Dino Toppmöller's suspension. Toppmöller was let go following a 3:3 in Bremen. Frankfurt has only one win in its last 11 matches across all competitions. The team has conceded 42 goals this season, the Bundesliga high tied with bottom-placed Heidenheim.
"With the first goal against us, we couldn't hold on anymore," Schmitt said. He urged: "We must learn to deal with setbacks." Captain Robin Koch criticized: "It can't be that we make the same mistakes week after week." Frankfurt errors contributed to all three Hoffenheim goals, whether individual or tactical.
Sporting director Markus Krösche confirmed Schmitt and Meier will also sit on the bench for the Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. The search for a new coach is stalling. Hoffenheim, third in the table with the league's third-best defense, celebrated its first win in Frankfurt in nearly ten years and stays on track for the Champions League.
The stadium atmosphere turned icy; silence prevailed on the stands after the third goal. Frankfurt faces its own breakdown helplessly, despite injury woes in attack with absences of Jonathan Burkardt and Younes Ebnoutalib.
