Eintracht Frankfurt claimed a much-needed 1-0 victory over 1. FC Köln on Friday evening at the Deutsche Bank Park, a result that lifts them to eighth in the Bundesliga table with eight points from six games. The win arrives as a relief after a catastrophic 0-6 defeat at RB Leipzig on matchday five, a result that exposed the depth of Frankfurt's defensive crisis and triggered a public dressing-down of captain Robin Koch by coach Adi Hütter.

Hütter had hauled Koch off at half-time in Leipzig and made no secret of his frustration, describing the performance as "not Bundesliga standard" and saying he expected more from his captain. The public nature of that criticism drew sharp words from Lothar Matthäus, who told Sport Bild the handling of Koch had looked "unfortunate." Hütter moved quickly to clarify Koch's position, confirming before the Köln game that the defender would keep both his place and the armband.

The win steadies the ship for now, but Frankfurt's defensive numbers remain alarming. Sixteen goals conceded in five Bundesliga games before Friday represents one of the worst records in the division, and Hütter's squad is still finding its shape after a significant summer rebuild. The coach arrived for a second spell at the club following the dismissal of Albert Riera, who managed only four wins in 14 games last season.

Next up is a trip to Borussia Dortmund on 24 October, a stern test of whether Friday's result marks a genuine turning point.