bundesliga

Post-Omar Marmoush Eintracht Frankfurt target big finish to 2024/25

03.04.2025

Eintracht Frankfurt have adjusted admirably to the departure of star striker Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in the January transfer window, with stars like Mario Götze and Hugo Ekitiké coming to the fore this spring. Still in the Bundesliga top four and with an upcoming UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur, Dino Toppmöller's Eagles have every chance of ending the campaign on a high.

"I think the images speak for themselves," said Toppmöller in one of the most defining moments of Frankfurt's season in mid-January. The departure of Marmoush after an incredible 15 goals in 17 appearances was one that no fan of the Eagles would have wanted to come at that time, yet it was one that the squad, Toppmöller's coaching staff and supporters accepted with great grace as they warmly saluted the Egyptian's efforts at Deutsche Bank Park ahead of the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 18.

Amid the well-deserved words of tribute to Marmoush, Toppmöller said after the match: "The boys just carried on, and that is exactly what we are proud of - to have this group and this spirit, as they all played their part in Omar's development."

Fast forward over two months and that resilience has shone spectacularly. Frankfurt have continued to notch up positive results throughout a period of adjustment, and remain in the same lofty position in the Bundesliga - third - as they were on Marmoush's departure, whilst kicking on in the Europa League.

With just three defeats in their first 12 Bundesliga matches of 2025 (two of which came against top-two sides Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen), Eintracht have carried their impressive form from the autumn seamlessly into the spring. In fact, their tally of 14 wins from their opening 27 matches of the season is a figure they have never before surpassed in the Bundesliga.

When you add in their sensational 6-2 aggregate victory over Dutch champions Ajax in the last 16 of the Europa League, the ability of the Eagles to compensate for the loss of their talismanic forward is even more remarkable.

Toppmöller can take great credit for implementing a change of playing style that has allowed Frankfurt to optimally deploy their talented resources. The blistering pace of both Marmoush and Ekitiké made them a devastating double act on the break in the first half of the season.

Although Frankfurt still boast more goals on counter-attacks than any other side in the Bundesliga with nine, lightning transitions have been a less reliable weapon following Marmoush's departure. What's more, with many opposing teams also acknowledging Frankfurt's lofty league position by taking defensive approaches, the time the Eagles are spending on the ball has spiralled. Step forward the old master Götze and the technically polished Ekitiké.

Götze, 32, who famously struck the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final, has used his positional intelligence to take deeper roles at times with Frankfurt, but has returned to his familiar playmaking role over recent weeks, using his nimble feet and vision to carve open opposition defences.

Götze continues to live up to his 'Super Mario' nickname, having provided some key moments in Frankfurt's fantastic run, including the winner in a close encounter with VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 27 and two goals and an assist over the two legs against Ajax that took the Eagles into the last eight.

While the former Dortmund and Bayern star highlights the importance of experience to a side fighting on two fronts, Frankfurt also have sprightly young players to thank for their efforts, boasting the youngest team in the Bundesliga on average this season, at 24.7 years old.

Ekitiké, for one, has taken on much of the attacking burden left by Marmoush's departure with eight of his 19 competitive goals this term coming since the turn of the year. The 22-year-old Frenchman's also fired off more shots than any other player in the league ahead of Matchday 28 (91).

Several other Frankfurt cornerstones are even younger. Hugo Larsson has been a dependable presence in central midfield at the age of 20, Nathaniel Brown has offered real thrust from right-back and his fellow 21-year-old, Kauã Santos, has deputised superbly for the injured Kevin Trapp in goal.

There is even more youthful talent waiting in the wings - or absolutely tearing down them when given a chance. Nineteen-year-old Can Uzun has a noteworthy four goals despite only making five starts so far this season, while Jean-Mattéo Bahoya (also 19) equally only has five starts in his first full season of Bundesliga football, yet has already made Bundesliga history by setting a new record for the fastest-ever speed recorded with a sensational sprint against Bochum on Matchday 26.

A fierce competition for places has no doubt helped Frankfurt over the campaign, while reflecting the squad depth needed for a strong Europa League run. Yet the togetherness mentioned by Toppmöller in January has been a key to securing vital results, with head of sport Markus Krösche recently comparing defensive stalwarts Arthur Theate and Rasmus Kristensen to "bodyguards" for their gutsy backline work. Put simply, Eintracht are a side with all their parts moving in the right direction.

With a five-point cushion over fifth-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach going into the final seven matches of the season, the Eagles are on course to return to the UEFA Champions League for only the second time ever. A repeat of their 2021/22 Europa League-winning heroics is also a distinct possibility.