Eintracht Frankfurt are in the grip of a serious early-season crisis, and the manner of their 0-6 defeat at RB Leipzig on matchday five has only deepened the concern around the club. Sixteen goals conceded in five Bundesliga games is a damning record, and the Leipzig collapse, as reported by GOAL, exposed defensive frailties that have haunted Frankfurt since last season. Trainer Adi Hütter responded by publicly criticising captain Robin Koch at half-time, substituting him and later describing the decision as an act of "relief" for the player. The comments drew sharp attention from Lothar Matthäus, who told Sport Bild, as cited by GOAL, that the public handling of Koch "did not look good."

Hütter has since moved to draw a line under the episode. Ahead of Friday's home fixture against Köln, he confirmed Koch would remain captain and continue to start, while acknowledging the collective nature of the team's defensive failures. Markus Krösche and Jonathan Burkardt both echoed that view publicly, with Burkardt stating that "the leaders have clearly failed again."

With Frankfurt sitting 14th on five points, level with Schalke above them and one ahead of Paderborn below, according to the latest standings data, the margin for error is already thin. The visit of Köln to the Deutsche Bank Park tonight offers an opportunity to respond, but the pressure on Hütter and his squad is real and growing.