Younes Ebnoutalib loses Eintracht Frankfurt starting spot after tactical change

Younes Ebnoutalib was left out of Eintracht Frankfurt’s starting lineup for the first time this Bundesliga season during the 3-1 victory over Mainz.

The decision was tactical rather than a judgment on the striker’s performances, as coach Adi Hutter switched to a back-three system and sacrificed one attacking position.

“If you put another player in at the back, you probably have to take one out up front,” Hutter explained after the match. He had spoken with both Ebnoutalib and Jonathan Burkardt before kickoff, making clear that neither forward deserved to be dropped.

Hutter ultimately selected Burkardt, partly because the game was being played at his former club. “Johnny is here in his old living room,” the coach said. Ebnoutalib had opened his season with three goals in the first Bundesliga match and later assisted Burkardt against Augsburg.

The manager still believes the pair complement each other “very well.” Ebnoutalib entered the Mainz match as a substitute for Burkardt, marking his first experience of a reduced role this campaign.

Whether the formation change becomes permanent remains uncertain. “I cannot answer today how things will continue in the future,” Hutter admitted, leaving the competition between both strikers wide open.