In this match report, we focus on Germany – more specifically Eintracht Frankfurt. The German outfit managed to qualify for the UWCL, just before Turbine Potsdam. In the match report of Eintracht Frankfurt against Werder Bremen, we concentrated on two talented defenders of the club.
Ratings:
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, re-watch
- D – Below average in this match
Sophia Kleinherne
Player Profile
- Nationality: German
- Age: 22
- Date of Birth: 12/04/2000
- Current Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
- Career: FSV Gutersloh 2009, FSV Frankfurt
- Position: Centre Back
Sophia Kleinherne is a right central defender that plays for Eintracht Frankfurt. In this game against Werder Bremen, Frankfurt used a 4-4-2 defensive or 4-3-1-2 formation. Kleinherne played as one of the central defenders on the right side, where she was paired with Doorsoun-Khajeh.
In terms of defensive ability and actions, Kleinherne seems very solid. Frankfurt were the better side, but her interactions in interceptions and tackles were solid. She is a good tackler of the ball and while she can be good reactively, she is someone who thinks ahead and tries to overturn defensive phases into attacking phases. Her defensive presence in set pieces is of vital importance.
She can be classified as a modern central defender because she possesses the ability to open play and progress the ball from her defensive position. She can spot runners in the strikers, can play a diagonal ball to the midfielder, but she also isn’t afraid to carry the ball into the middle third and connect with the attackers
In the above, we also see a weakness of Kleinherne. She can be overly confident on the ball and therefore is not as great in assessing the risk of a pass, which can lead to a very dangerous transition. Her attacking awareness isn’t great and she can be caught often in transition, but if she works on that awareness and positioning – she will be even better.
Rating: A2
Janina Hechler
Player Profile
- Nationality: German
- Age: 23
- Date of Birth: 28/01/1999
- Current Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
- Career: FSV Frankfurt
- Position: Right Back
Janina Hechler is a right back playing for Eintracht Frankfurt. In this game against Werder Bremen, Frankfurt used a 4-4-2 defensive or 4-3-1-2 formation. Heckler played as a full back on the right side, where she was paired with Doorsoun-Khajeh in the passing combination.
Her defensive actions and ability are above average, as she is eager to make sure the opposition can’t get dangerous on that right flank. She is good in the 1v1s but can commit to fouls when she is beaten in one and that can form a problem against better opposition. Just like Kleinherne, Hechler is an asset in defending set pieces as she is strong in the duels, aware of the opposition, and can clear the ball from the dangerous areas.
On the ball she is solid, but nothing special. Hechler loves to make runs down the line after combining with the midfield and then going forward to get to an ideal position to cross. What’s remarkable is that she is quite good at taking throw-ins, but also converting throw-ins from others to meaningful positions in attack.
Her decision-making going forward is excellent, but her execution of it is quite average. She sees what’s happening in front of her, so the vision is there – but the lack of concentration means she commits errors and then has to restore that in the transition with tackles.
Rating: B1