Stefan Ilsanker has only played a supporting role so far this season. Will that change against Leipzig? Last season, the veteran played big twice against his former club (2015-20). Coach Oliver Glasner is holding out the prospect of him featuring in the starting eleven.
The season got off to a bad start for Ilsanker, as it did for all the other Frankfurt players. Against Dortmund’s offensive machinery, “Ilse” in particular looked anything but good in the 2:5 on Matchday 1. The 32-year-old did not play at all for over a month afterwards, only appearing in the first eleven one other time: in the 2-1 win in Munich. “He played very well there,” praised Glasner. As the rook in the battle, Ilsanker indeed rose to become the best defender in that game (kicker grade 2.5). Nevertheless, he has not played since.
Ilsanker should be especially hot against his ex-colleagues
On Saturday against Leipzig, Ilsanker is “clearly a candidate for the first eleven”, Glasner explained when asked. But he also refers to the “consistency in the team, in the line-up” that is called for, not least in the media, and asks: “Do you always have to rotate?” It is good to be able to play in a formation. In Bochum (0:2), he therefore sent the same eleven onto the field as against Olympiakos Piraeus (3:1). However, it is also clear that Ilsanker will be particularly hot against his former colleagues. Last season, the resolute defender played a big part in Frankfurt’s 1-1 draw with Leipzig in both games.
Lammers likely to replace Paciencia
Glasner will definitely have to make one personnel change as striker Goncalo Paciencia will be unavailable until the international break due to a thigh injury. Sam Lammers is likely to move into the eleven in place of the Portuguese.
The line-up on the right side remains exciting, where Almamy Toure played strongly against Piraeus, but looked pretty old against Hertha BSC and in Bochum when he conceded two goals. The Frenchman does not seem to be able to get a grip on the big fluctuations in performance. For Glasner, the question is whether to give Toure another chance against Leipzig or to react now. In Erik Durm, Danny da Costa and Timothy Chandler, he has three alternatives at his disposal, with Durm currently holding the best cards in the event of a transfer.
Rode will be spared
No option is Sebastian Rode, who has been a wild card twice recently. The captain is not yet back to 100 per cent after knee surgery in August and will be rested on Saturday. Glasner is only planning to use the midfielder again for next Thursday’s match in Piraeus.