Football Season Guide

Eintracht Frankfurt will be hoping to build on what was a solid season last time around as they look to establish themselves in the upper echelons of the Bundesliga table. With a new manager at the helm in form of Thomas Schaaf, Frankfurt comfortably negotiated through the season hovering in and around the top half of the table. However with Schaaf departing under a cloud at the end of the season, Frankfurt have welcomed back Armin Veh just one year after he had left the club. Frankfurt enjoyed big success with Veh in the three-year spell that he was in charge off and the 54-year old will be looking to pick up from where he had left off and help the club continue on their upward trajectory. Frankfurt have overseen a fairly quiet summer so far with Kevin Trapp being the only major departure after Paris St Germain came calling. Frankfurt have brought in Heinz Lindner and Lukas Hradecky but neither keepers are at the same level as Trapp. There have been improvements elsewhere on the pitch though with Luc Castaignos signed from FC Twente and is expected to provide stiff competition for Haris Seferovic upfront, with the striker only just managing to reach double figures last season. Stefan Reinartz has been signed on a free transfer and the midfielder provides plenty of Bundesliga experience and will partner Makoto Hasebe in the central midfield. Frankfurt have also looked to address their porous defense with the acquisition of David Abraham from Hoffenheim though the 29-year old has been troubled with injuries in recent times and it will be interesting to see whether he will be able to stay fit for the whole season. Scoring goals was not a problem for Frankfurt last season, with the club boasting of the fourth best attack, but it was a poor defensive record that prevented them from launching a serious bid for a European qualification spot. Things have worsened at the back for Frankfurt this season, with Trapp's departure a serious blow while the defense has also not been improved much. Keeping it tight at the back will be key to Frankfurt's prospects this season though they do have enough quality to finish near the top half of the table once again.