After picking up just 14 points from their final 17 matches of last season, things are going comparatively swimmingly for the Hessen, who have already?amassed more points this term than in the entirety of 2008/9. The Europa League is almost within touching distance, with fifth-placed Dortmund just two points away.
"The team can be proud of themselves"
"Let's wait and see what happens," said executive chairman Heribert Bruchhagen, keeping any euphoria firmly in check. "The next few games will tell us whether we're quite ready for European competition. Coach Skibbe, meanwhile, was more?abundant in his praise: "The team can be proud of their performances this season so far." But what is it that's been behind the Frankfurt success train of late?
A quick look at the statistics shows that Eintracht have improved in several areas, not least the accuracy of their crossing, which has risen from 18.7 per cent last term to 26.4 per cent this year. This has made the Eagles far more dangerous from set pieces: Last season they were the third-worst team in the league from corners, scoring just three goals. This season they have already notched seven.
Fabric of the team just right
Another strong area of Frankfurt's game has been their tackling. Only league leaders Leverkusen offer a higher success rate than Frankfurt's 52.1 per cent. "It's great fun playing in this team," said new signing Halil Altintop following the 2-1 victory over Freiburg. Team spirit has also been a major factor in the club's good fortune - Skibbe's side have come from behind to win both their last two matches (3-2 in Dortmund and 2-1 against Freiburg) and have managed to pick up eleven points by the same token throughout the season.
Though many of the positives surrounding Frankfurt this season have been down to teamwork, two players stand out in particular. With five goals, centre-back Maik Franz is the second-highest scoring defender in the league after Bayern's Daniel van Buyten. Franz is also second-highest scorer at Eintracht this season behind seven-goal midfielder Alexander Meier, himself clearly delighted by the club's form so far: "This season has been the best at the club since I joined."
Gregor Nentwig/Adaptation: Andy James
