Krösche gives Riera backing ahead of the final match in Dortmund

Eintracht Frankfurt loses 2:3 at Borussia Dortmund and goes into the season finale with additional pressure. Sporting director Markus Krösche at least provides a short-term decision regarding the coaching position: Albert Riera should also be on the bench for the last match of the season against VfB Stuttgart.

Early goal, late disappointment in Dortmund

Frankfurt gets off to an ideal start in Dortmund. Can Uzun scores in the 2nd minute to take the lead – a signal for a courageous away performance. At halftime, however, Eintracht is trailing 1:2: Serhou Guirassy equalizes in the 42nd minute, Nico Schlotterbeck turns the game around with his goal in first-half stoppage time (45.+1).

After the break, Samuele Inacio increases the lead to 3:1 in the 72nd minute. Jonathan Burkardt pulls one back in the 87th minute, but the result does not change: Frankfurt loses 2:3 (1:2). The defeat is another setback in the race for European competition – also because the course of the game is particularly painful: early lead, then a double blow just before halftime, and another two-goal deficit in the second half.

Riera made several changes before kickoff. Arthur Theate returned to the starting eleven, and Mo Dahoud started alongside Ellyes Skhiri in central midfield. This meant Frankfurt relied on a double six in the center, which was supposed to provide both stability against Dortmund's transitions and a cleaner build-up play. Jonathan Burkardt and Mario Götze initially started on the bench. The plan brought an energetic start – but the decisive moments ultimately belonged to Dortmund.

Krösche brings clarity to the coaching bench

Immediately after the match, the coaching question became a topic. Krösche answered the question of whether Albert Riera would also be on the bench for the last match of the season against VfB Stuttgart briefly with: "Yes." This at least ends the personnel debate for the season finale for now.

The backing is not a sign of all-clear, but rather seems like a measure to stabilize the situation at a time when Frankfurt has little sporting leeway left. Krösche assessed the situation accordingly soberly: "It's no longer in our own hands. We had imagined it differently." That the sporting director sees the potential failure to qualify for international competition as a major disappointment fits the stakes of this season – and increases the pressure for the final 90 minutes.

Europe is no longer in Frankfurt's own hands

With the 2:3 in Dortmund, Eintracht has further worsened its position. The focus now also shifts to the competition: If Freiburg wins at HSV on Sunday, seventh place will no longer be attainable for Frankfurt. This exact position is the decisive mark in the current constellation.

In the background, there is a structural factor that the clubs cannot influence: The number of European competition spots is determined by international results and the UEFA association ranking. For Frankfurt, this means specifically: There is no "additional" buffer through more spots given this situation – the door to Europe is narrow, and it is no longer open solely through their own results. If Eintracht finishes the season in eighth place, they will come away empty-handed.

This gives the last home match against VfB Stuttgart a clear significance: Frankfurt not only needs a win of their own, but must also hope for favorable results elsewhere. Krösche's "Yes" to Riera at least brings clarity to the bench – in sporting terms, the season finale is a final under maximum pressure for Eintracht.