Preparations gearing up | OneFootball

There were full-blooded tackles and clinical finishes as Eintracht kicked off the week on Monday, albeit with seven absent players.

The Eagles had their first training session of 2026 last Friday, and now have one every day until Thursday this week. Injured quartet Michy Batshuayi, Elias Baum, Jonathan Burkardt and Timothy Chandler all remain sidelined, while Jean-Mattéo Bahoya missed out due to illness. 

Furthermore, Farès Chaibi is in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria, and Ellyes Skhiri has been granted a break after Tunisia were knocked out of the competition. 

Nevertheless, there were still plenty of players for the coaching staff to work with. Academy products Amil Siljevic, Alexander Staff, Fousseny Doumbia and Marvin Dills were all involved alongside winter signings Love Arrhov and Keito Kumashiro, giving head coach Dino Toppmöller 23 outfield players and four goalkeepers for the session.`

Following an extensive warm-up, ball work was the primary focus of the day. Different team and goal sizes, high tempo, robust challenges and plenty of shots on goal were all on the agenda as preparations for the home game against Borussia Dortmund on Friday 9 January (kick-off 20:30 CET) kicked up a gear.