Eintracht Frankfurt head coach commits to Michael Zetterer as the No. 1 through the winter break | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt’s persistent defensive issues were once again on display during the Saturday night Bundesliga “Top Spiel” away at Köln. Eintracht’s goal-conceding issues unfortunately extend beyond the back-line. SGE goalkeeper Michael Zetterer looked especially weak on Köln’s first goal. Despite this, head coach Dino Toppmöller has committed to keeping the 30-year-old in net. 

Frankfurt signed Zetterer away from Bremen this summer following squad captain Kevin Trapp’s surprise decision to depart the club and join Paris FC. Eintracht wished to continue to develop young Brazilian keeper Kaua Santos as the club’s new No. 1. Trapp – seeing the writing on the wall – thus opted to lodge a transfer request.

In Zetterer, the RheinMainAdler were able to procure a veteran keeper who himself felt himself pushed out of a starting role by a young up-and-comer. Zetterer nevertheless repeatedly made clear that he did not leave Werder Bremen to serve as Kaua Santos’ back-up. The fact that Kaua Santos struggled after his return from injury meant that Zetterer ultimately saw this wish granted. 

Kaua Santos returned to action on matchday four, ultimately starting in four league and one Champions League fixture. After the 22-year-old conceded a whopping 18 goals in those five games, Toppmöller announced that Zettrerer would reprise his role as the No. 1.

Though Zetterer himself conceded five goals against Liverpool in the UCL, the veteran has kept three clean sheets through seven fixtures across all competitions. The bleeding has been stanched somewhat. 

Toppmölller committed to Zetterer in a recent interview with Kicker, Toppmöller committed to keeping Zetterer in net through the winter break irrespective of what happens next. Kaua Santos will not receive his chance until 2026 at the earliest. 

“The plan remains that he [Zetterer] will guard the goal until the winter break,” Toppmöller remarked in his interview. “We still believe that Kauã can become a top goalkeeper. The idea was always that he would be our number one. Zetti knew that when he joined us. Zetti radiates calm and confidence. That’s what we need.“

GGFN | Peter Weis