DFB Pokal 2019/2020: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Werder Bremen – tactical analysis

In the last quarter-final of the DFB Pokal 2019/20, Eintracht Frankfurt welcomed Werder Bremen. Whereas Werder Bremen under Florian Kohfeldt are currently struggling in the Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt found their form again in 2020 after a short low in the first half of the season.

With both sides playing in a cautious way mainly aiming at disrupting the opposition attacks in the first half, the game turned into a slightly faster game with more promising transition moments on both sides in the second half. One reason for that was a penalty rewarded for Frankfurt due to a handball offence leading to Frankfurts leading goal just before half-time. In the end, Frankfurt won the game with a further goal in the second half.

This tactical analysis will take a closer look at the tactics of either side and will attempt to explain why Eintracht Frankfurt held the upper hand in the end. In particular, in our analysis, we examine Frankfurts flexible build-up phase as well as the battle of rest defences in the second half.

Lineups and formations

Eintracht Frankfurt lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a double pivot consisting of Djibril Sow and Stefan Ilsanker. Currently, high-flying Daichi Kamada acted as a central attacking midfielder in front of the double pivot and behind striker André Silva. Meanwhile, Filip Kostić and Timothy Chandler were tasked to attack down the flanks and send in crosses.

Kohfeldt, on the other hand, lined his side up in a 3-4-2-1 formation turning into a narrow 4-3-3 when attacking. Therefore, central defender Kevin Vogt moved forward into midfield when Bremen were in possession. Bremens attacking department consisted of striker Davie Selke and two half-space attackers in Milot Rashica and Leonardo Bittencourt.

Eintracht Frankfurts flexible 4-2-3-1 build-up

In the first half of the game, Eintracht Frankfurts build-up posed some problems for Werder Bremens pressing. Hütters side constantly switched between back four and back three during the build-up which made it difficult for Werder to out pressure on the ball-carrier.

The back four build-up shape horizontally stretched Werders front three. Since Frankfurts full-backs received the ball in deeper areas, Werders wide forwards pressed as the way for the wing-back to move out was too long. That made it impossible for them to cover both of Frankfurts double pivot. Furthermore, Werder striker Selke was left alone to press both central defenders.