Eintracht Frankfurt will its first win of the season build into momentum against unbeaten Bundesliga leaders SC Freiburg on Saturday, but Jeremiaha Maluze will not be available.
The 21-year-old defender has suffered an adductor-area thigh problem after last weekend’s 3-1 victory at Mainz. He trained with the squad on Tuesday, three days after the match, but the discomfort returned. Frankfurt have ruled him out until further notice, with no timetable yet set for his return.
Break in a rapid first-team rise
The absence comes at an awkward point for Maluze. He had originally been planned for Eintracht’s second team in the Hessenliga, but moved into the senior picture after Nnamdi Collins was unavailable.
Maluze has played in all three of Frankfurt’s Bundesliga fixtures so far and started two of them on the right of a back three. His early league performances have produced an average rating of 3.00.
He also featured for the first team in the cup and made a direct contribution in Mainz, setting up Jonathan Burkardt for Frankfurt’s second goal.
Freiburg visit with a perfect record
Frankfurt host Freiburg on Saturday at 15:30. Freiburg arrive with three wins from three Bundesliga matches and top the table, while Eintracht must adjust their defensive options without one of their early-season breakthrough players.
