Football Season Guide

This will be a season of consolidation for Eintracht Frankfurt who will be hoping to challenge for a place in the top six yet again following an impressive return to the Bundesliga last time around. Frankfurt were the surprise package last season, spending most of the season in the top four before inconsistent form in the final weeks of the season saw them miss out on a Champions League qualification spot to finish sixth in the league. While Armin Veh will be a bit disappointed that his side was not able to secure qualification to the Champions League, the Frankfurt coach will be delighted with their performances throughout the season. However the real measure of the side's progress under Veh will be seen this season with Frankfurt not only having to guard against the 'second season syndrome' but also ensure that the squad will be able to overcome the strain of playing in Europe as well. Veh has been busy clearing out a number of fringe players during the summer with Frankfurt releasing Martin Amedick after the defender failed to make even a single appearance for the club last season. Karim Matmour was also released along with Oka Nikolov, Heiko Butscher and Vadim Demidov while Olivier Occéan was sent on loan to Kaiserslautern. Veh has identified his attack as the key area of improvement and Frankfurt have signed on Jan Rosenthal, who can also play on the left flank, while Joselu has been brought on a season long loan from Hoffenheim. Veh has also signed Johannes Flum from SC Freiburg with the 25-year old expected to provide competition for Pirmin Schwegler and Sebastian Rode in the center of the midfield. With just two recognized strikers in the squad, Joselu and Srdjan Lakic, Veh is still on the hunt for another striker and Frankfurt are expected to further strengthen their strike force before the end of the transfer window.