Eintracht must do without key player Skhiri
Conference League starters Eintracht Frankfurt are facing a lack of personnel in their defensive midfield as the season draws to a close. Key player Ellyes Skhiri suffered a thigh injury against PAOK Thessaloniki on Thursday and will be out "until further notice", as the club announced on Friday. "For me, Ellyes' injury is more serious than the defeat," said head coach Dino Toppmöller after the 2-1 defeat against the Greek side.
The coach left open whether Shkiri will be able to play another game in 2023. "He's out for now. There will be another imaging in five days." Above all, his ball security, running power and goal threat will be missed.
With captain Sebastian Rode also still out, Toppmöller will have to improvise in defensive midfield in the Bundesliga match at FC Augsburg on Sunday (19:30/DAZN). Possible options are veteran Makoto Hasebe and Kristijan Jakic, who was shown a yellow card in the Conference League.
Former world champion Mario Götze has also already played this role. It has recently been difficult for Götze to find a regular place in the offense. Robin Koch will make his comeback in defense after recovering from a calf injury. It remains to be seen whether he will play from the start.
Eintracht Frankfurt, currently competing in the Bundesliga, will miss Ellyes Skhiri due to a thigh injury suffered against PAOK Thessaloniki. His absence, coupled with captain Sebastian Rode's ongoing absence, leaves head coach Dino Toppmöller with a challenge in the defensive midfield for the upcoming Bundesliga match against FC Augsburg.
Source: www.dpa.com
