Eintracht Frankfurt picked up a badly needed boost in the DFB-Pokal, beating Hamburger SV 3-1 at the Volksparkstadion to advance to the next round. The result offers some relief after a turbulent run in the Bundesliga, where the club sits 14th with eight points from seven games. A 1-0 win over Cologne and a cup victory represent positive signs, but a 0-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund and an earlier 0-6 collapse against RB Leipzig underline just how inconsistent Frankfurt have been this season.

Off the pitch, the club is in the middle of a significant transition. Sporting director Markus Kroesche left his role in October after more than five years, departing by mutual consent following months of friction with club leadership. His exit came after a series of missteps, including the failed appointment of coach Albert Riera and a transfer window that failed to strengthen the squad. Reports quickly linked Kroesche to AC Milan, where negotiations over a move were described as advanced.

On the training ground, coach Adi Huetter has been direct about standards. He publicly challenged forward Can Uzun to show more consistency and commitment, warning that attitude would determine playing time. Captain Robin Koch, dropped after the Leipzig defeat, responded with a strong performance against Cologne and earned praise from Huetter. The next test comes in the Bundesliga at home to Hamburger SV on November 1, a chance to build momentum after the cup win over the same opponents.