Brentford v Frankfurt pre-season fixture: Opposition insight from Ronan Murphy | OneFootball

Bundesliga and European football pundit Ronan Murphy provides the lowdown on Eintracht Frankfurt, who Brentford host at Gtech Community Stadium in their final pre-season fixture on Saturday (3pm kick-off BST).

In their final match before the 2026/27 Premier League campaign begins at home to Tottenham Hotspur, the Bees will test themselves against the Bundesliga side, who finished eighth in the German top flight last season and have since brought Adi Hütter back for a second spell as head coach.

Eintracht Frankfurt finished eighth in the Bundesliga last season, their lowest finish since 2021/22. How would you summarise how their season panned out?

Qualifying for Europe is the minimum expectation for Eintracht Frankfurt every year. This allows them to attract better signings with the promise of continental football.

When they changed head coach in early 2026, there was still optimism that they would reach Europe, and they turned to former Spain international Albert Riera in an attempt to shake things up.

Unfortunately, the biggest shake-up was in the dressing room, where Riera's personality clashed with the squad, and everyone involved decided it was best to change managers again at the end of the season.

After his exit, the former Liverpool midfielder gave an interview in which he compared his relationship with Eintracht to that of “the gorgeous Angelina Jolie and the charming Brad Pitt. Both are wonderful, but they just don't fit together.”

Unfortunately, neither club nor coach got the Hollywood ending they wanted. The approach this season? Bringing Adi Hütter back for a sequel.

Did the sale of Hugo Ekitiké to Liverpool hurt them in any way?

Between them, Hugo Ekitiké and Omar Marmoush scored 42 goals in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024/25. Replacing one was going to be difficult, and replacing both almost impossible.

It is probably no surprise they struggled last season. Germany international Jonathan Burkardt did well after his transfer from Mainz, but a calf injury meant he missed a third of the season, including some crucial Champions League matches.

Elye Wahi and Michy Batshuayi underperformed, but there is optimism that summer signing Noel Futkeu could help share the load with Burkardt this season after greatly impressing in the 2. Bundesliga with Greuther Fürth, scoring 19 goals in 34 appearances.

Hütter returned as head coach at the end of May after leaving for Borussia Mönchengladbach five years earlier. What is the general feeling about his re-appointment?

When Borussia Mönchengladbach activated Hütter's release clause in 2021, there was widespread disappointment among Frankfurt fans. They hoped they would build a dynasty together, but luckily for supporters of Die Adler, Oliver Glasner took charge and guided them to the Europa League title in his first season.

Hütter had a stint at Monaco after Gladbach but is now back with a point to prove, admitting at his introductory press conference that he “always had the feeling of having unfinished business.”

Hütter will provide calm and stability after the chaotic Riera reign and, already in pre-season, the mood in the camp seems much more euphoric and optimistic than at any stage last season.

Which player should Brentford fans be keeping an eye out for on Saturday?

Jonathan Burkardt probably would have been in Germany's World Cup squad if not for an injury in winter 2025. He had been in the squad for November's matches but, unfortunately, has not played for his country since.

He has been focusing on improving his strength and conditioning during the summer and was very open in pre-season press conferences about how he did not enjoy the short-lived Riera era.

“There was a lot going on, that was a very exhausting time for me. Not everything went smoothly,” he said.

Now, he is back, looks fitter than ever and has already scored against both Gießen and Trabzonspor as he prepares for the new Bundesliga season.

What should Keith Andrews’ side expect in terms of shape and style?

Every new coach says they want to play exciting, attacking football when they are appointed. Fans always want to hear that, but often it does not work out that way.

Riera promised an energetic game, but it quickly turned into dour football which did not please the supporters or the board.

Hütter looks to be putting his money where his mouth is in pre-season so far, with a high-pressing game in which Eintracht's players battle for every second ball and attempt to switch the play quickly to create overloads.

Burkardt has said it is “a lot of fun”, and the players appear to have fully bought in.

You correctly predicted a score draw when Brentford played Borussia Mönchengladbach last summer! What’s your score prediction for this one?

Hütter's early pressing will not give Brentford much time on the ball but, with so many players still trying to build fitness and some young players being tested, like 15-year-old Niko Iličević, this friendly should be an open game with chances at both ends.

Expect plenty of goals, but perhaps not a full return to the hyperactive performances we saw from Eintracht Frankfurt at the start of the 2025/26 Champions League, when they recorded three 5-1 scorelines in their first three matches.

A 2-1 or 3-2 scoreline seems much more realistic this time around, but either side could edge it.