Season in review: hopes, fears and celebrations | OneFootball

Another thrilling season has come to an end. It was emotional, with plenty of highs and lows that we will try to capture in this brief review.⤵️

The 2023/24 campaign ended with Eintracht Frankfurt sixth in the league, which saw them qualify for Europe. Dino Toppmöller’s much-changed team struggled to impose themselves in a number of matches across the season, but nevertheless finished high enough in the table to give themselves another taste of European football next term – and that in itself is quite an achievement. Transfers galore

It was a busy summer. As well as a new coaching staff, the playing squad saw around a dozen either come or go – a genuine re-set, to say the least. It also featured a record transfer fee paid for Randal Kolo Muani, who departed on deadline day.

Decent start to the season

The Eagles kicked things off with a 1-0 home win over Darmstadt, a 1-1 draw away to Mainz and 7-0 thrashing of Lokomotiv Leipzig away in the first round of the DFB Cup. They also made it through the play-offs for the UEFA Europe Conference League, defeating PFC Levski Sofia (1-1, 2-0).

Autumn struggles

With so many changes to the team, Eintracht were bound to have their ups and downs, and after four matches unbeaten, things came a little off the rails at the end of September, with the first defeat of the season (2-0 away to Wolfsburg). This was followed by a 2-1 loss to PAOK with literally the last kick of the game in the group stage of the Europa Conference League.

Back on track

Toppmöller’s team got themselves back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim and then went on a run of eight matches unbeaten. After the first international break, they then scored 12 goals in three matches over nine days (a 3-1 win away to TSG Hoffenheim, a 6-0 victory over Helsinki and a 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund).

First major setback

The glut of goals in December was followed by the first real fallow period of the season.  Beginning with a 2-2 draw in Bremen, the Eagles shipped two goals five times in a row, ushering in a four-match losing streak. They managed to move into the Conference League knock-out stage but ceded top spot in the group to Saloniki. They also crashed out of the DFB Cup away to third-tier side (and eventual semi-finalists) Saarbrücken on what was a highly disappointing evening. What a reaction…

The Eagles turned things around just three days later, turning in a high-octane performance to defeat FC Bayern 5-1 at Deutsche Bank Park.

Up to sixth

In a match that had little to recommend it to the neutrals, Eintracht worked tirelessly to overcome a plucky Borussia Mönchengladbach side who were reduced to ten men late on. The Eagles then scored twice in added time to record a 2-1 win in front of their home fans.

Equally busy winter

Six players left the club – five of them on loan – and four more joined, with one of them –Hugo Ekitiké – hitting the ground running to say the least. Frankfurt also made Robin Koch’s loan from Leeds United a permanent deal, giving him a contract through to 2029.

The race for Europe

A lot of determination and a little luck brought about a 2-1 victory away to Heidenheim, and this was followed by a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim. On the final matchday of the season, Eintracht secured sixth spot and at least a spot in the UEFA Europe League. And should Borussia Dortmund defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League final, the Eagles will then play in next season’s Champions League themselves.

At the end of the day…

A total of 47 points, sixth after the first half of the season and sixth in the end, despite only having the 11th-best record in the second half. The final whistle of the match against Leipzig on the last day of the season not only confirmed at least a UEFA Europe League spot once again, but also signalled the end of the line for Sebastian Rode and Makoto Hasebe, who have chosen to retire. The emotions at that moment were beyond words.