Eintracht Frankfurt's season is off to a troubled start, and the pressure on coach Adolf Hütter is already building after just two Bundesliga matchdays. A 1-4 home defeat to Augsburg on September 6 followed an opening-day 3-3 draw at Union Berlin, leaving Frankfurt 14th in the table with one point from two games. The defensive numbers tell the story: five goals conceded in two league matches, with 16 goals shipped across the last five competitive fixtures overall.

At the heart of the squad rebuild is goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, who joined on loan from SC Freiburg after a difficult summer that saw him train alone in Freiburg for weeks while waiting for a move to materialise. The 24-year-old spoke openly about the ordeal, describing it as "no easy time" and acknowledging that things happened during the transfer window "that are not acceptable." He made his Frankfurt debut in the 3-3 draw at Union Berlin and now faces the task of steadying a defence that has looked vulnerable in the early weeks.

Off the pitch, sporting director Markus Krösche has been linked with the vacant director of football role at Liverpool following Richard Hughes' resignation, though reports suggest English interest remains distant for now.

Frankfurt travel to the MEWA Arena today to face Mainz 05, who arrive in strong form after a 5-0 win over Hamburg. It is an early test of character for a side that needs results quickly.