Pape, Palhinha Return for Frankfurt; Van de Ven Sidelined
In a recent pre-match press conference at Deutsche Bank Park, Thomas provided key updates regarding the team’s status ahead of their upcoming match. He noted that players Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert are generally fine but recently experienced a minor accident due to a tyre blowout, leading to slight delays in their travel.
Pape Matar Sarr and Joao Palhinha Return for Frankfurt Clash
On a positive note, Thomas confirmed the return of midfielders Pape Matar Sarr and Joao Palhinha. Joao has been absent for the last three matches due to a training injury. Pape missed earlier engagements as he recovered from an illness but is now fit for the match.
Injury Updates and Player Availability
Despite the return of Sarr and Palhinha, the team faces significant challenges with injuries. Pedro is sidelined for four weeks due to a hamstring injury, while Micky is expected to return soon. Thomas emphasized that both Pape and Joao are ready to contribute, though fitness concerns linger regarding their stamina for a full match.
- Unavailable Players:
- Pablo Porro
- Yves van de Ven
- Richarlison
- James Maddison
- Lucas Bergvall
- Mo Kudus
- Dejan Kulusevski
- Rodrigo Bentancur
- Ben Davies
- Radu Dragusin
- Yves Bissouma
- Mathys Tel
- Conor Gallagher
- Souza
With 14 senior players ruled out due to injury or ineligibility, the coach highlighted opportunities for other team members, including young talents from the academy, to step up in this crucial situation. Notably, Jun’ai Byfield had an impressive performance against Borussia Dortmund last week.
As the team prepares for their match at Frankfurt, the return of key players is welcomed amidst a difficult period of managing injuries and squad depth.




