Toppmöller reveals that Larsson, Jakic, and Koch remain questionable for Bayern
Eintracht Frankfurt trainer Dino Toppmöller admitted that he would likely still face a personnel shortage in midfield and defense in this weekend's league encounter against German record champions FC Bayern München.
Already having to make tactical adjustments due to the loss of midfield linchpin Ellyes Skhiri last weekend, additional injury problems plaugued Eintracht Frankfurt trainer Dino Toppmöller during last night's Pokal loss against third-tier side 1. FC Saarbrücken. Attacker Mario Götze and elder statesmen Makoto Hasebe were forced to turn the midfield in the absence of other options Kristijan Jakic, Hugo Larsson, and Sebastian Rode.
Toppmöller revealed at his Thursday presser that Jakic and Larsson remained questionable for the upcoming league encounter against FC Bayern München. Additionally, central defender Robin Koch has reported having problems with his hip. The German international may also have to sit the next fixture out. The SGE trainer may have to deploy Hrvoje Smolcic in Koch's place.
At the very least, Toppmöller does have a potential solution for Koch's absence. When it comes to the midfield, the gaffer could only reiterate that his squad was facing serious personnel shortages. Toppmöller called for his players, whom he admitted were "tired", to "push the boundaries in their heads" against the visiting heavy favorites.
"We want to show a clear reaction," Toppmöller noted at the press conference, "In the last two games, we were inferior to our opponents in terms of running and fighting. That must not happen to us. We've lost our chance at the Pokal, which is extremely disappointing. We now have two options. The first is to start complaining, take on a victim role or point the finger at others. Or we say: 'roll those sleeves up, we'll lead the way'."
"It feels like all the midfielders are out, so we'll have to tinker a bit," Toppmöller continued, "[The question becomes] who is the player who will pull all the others along? Who is the player that, after the first three minutes, who announces his presence to everyone? The lads need fire each other up and carry each other."