Santos again No. 1 at Eintracht Frankfurt – Zetterer back in the second tier

Second weakest defense in the league

This article first appeared on January 8 at 11:07 a.m. and was updated following confirmation.

Rolling backwards at Eintracht Frankfurt: After summer newcomer Michael Zetterer stood between the posts for large parts of the first half of the season, Kauã Santos is returning for the new year. As “Bild” reported, coach Dino Toppmöller decided to make the Brazilian number one again with immediate effect. The coach confirmed this at a press conference.

“Kauã Santos will be in goal tomorrow. He made a very good impression in this short time before the restart. We have confidence in him,” said Toppmöller before Friday’s game against Borussia Dortmund at the start of the 16th matchday. “Michael Zetterer has taken note of the decision and is fully behind the team. We expect everyone to support the boys as team players. That’s why we brought in Zetti.”

Toppmöller explained in October, after Zetterer was given preference: “We decided that because we have the impression that it is important for Kauã to take a step backwards in order to get that lightness that makes him strong.”

Zetterer, who was brought in from Werder Bremen for 6 million euros as a replacement for Kevin Trapp, who had moved to Paris FC, started in the Frankfurt goal in the first four games immediately after his transfer. At that time, Santos was still suffering from the effects of a torn cruciate ligament in April. The 22-year-old then took over the position before having to give it up again after five competitive games. Zetterer has kept four clean sheets in his 18 appearances so far. With 30 goals conceded, the SGE has the second weakest defense in the Bundesliga.