Impenetrable: Eintracht Frankfurt a defensive powerhouse under Albert Riera
Eintracht Frankfurt's defence has gone from strength to strength since the arrival of Albert Riera as head coach, with the Eagles' backline going from the leakiest in the Bundesliga to one of the best.
Before the arrival of Riera, Frankfurt were in freefall with little sign of an end to their troubles. Nine games without a win and the joint-worst defensive record in the league after 20 Bundesliga games had the Eagles flying in the wrong direction, with the possibility of European football becoming more precarious by the week.
Since the arrival of the former Spain wide man at Deutsche Bank Park it‘s been a story of contrasts, with the results tipping in their favour once more, and the routes through their defence being closed off.
In Riera‘s six games so far, Frankfurt have conceded just four goals, almost all of which came in their 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich. In that period they‘ve kept four clean sheets, three of which have come in consecutive games, and look like a side reborn. Indeed, a fourth straight shut-out in their next game against Mainz will be a new club record.
Watch: Frankfurt finding their feet under Albert Riera
Riera was in high spirits after the 1-0 win against Heidenheim on Matchday 27, directing all praise in the direction of his players: "I see progress here every day; the players are understanding our ideas better and better".
He must accept some of the praise, however, as his decision to switch back to a four-man defence after his second game, having also used it on his debut against Union Berlin, seemingly the catalyst for their newfound solidity at the back.
Since the win over Borussia Mönchengladbach, the last occasion Riera deployed a back three, Eintracht have won two, drawn one and lost one, conceding just three goals.
Only the third Spanish head coach in the Bundesliga after Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso, Riera will be keen to emulate the successes of his countrymen in the years ahead.
With Frankfurt performing the way they are so early on into his tenure, fans will be optimistic he can guide the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League winners to more glory in the not-too-distant future.
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