Freiburg take Bundesliga top spot and six straight competitive victories to Frankfurt on Saturday, but the trip also brings Mio Backhaus back alongside a familiar goalkeeper. Noah Atubolu, his recent Freiburg teammate and predecessor, is now Eintracht’s No. 1.
Backhaus meets Atubolu in Frankfurt
The 22-year-old Backhaus joined Freiburg from Werder Bremen at the end of May for a club-record €12 million fee. He had been signed to replace Atubolu, although the latter’s move only materialised late in a difficult transfer process when Frankfurt took him.
- Backhaus and Atubolu shared the Freiburg dressing room for several weeks.
- They also worked together at times on the training pitch.
- Backhaus had previously followed Atubolu into Germany’s Under-21 set-up.
- Atubolu strengthened Frankfurt’s 3-1 win at Mainz by saving his sixth consecutive Bundesliga penalty, extending his league record.
Backhaus reacted with surprise to the latest penalty statistic, then praised his former colleague’s conduct during the summer. He said Atubolu had been fair, professional and helpful in training, while adding that he would prefer him not to save a penalty against Freiburg.
It is another familiar meeting for Backhaus in Frankfurt. Last season, he faced former Bremen teammate Michael Zetterer there after Zetterer’s August 2025 move to Eintracht. Frankfurt won that opening-matchday contest 4-1.
A stronger Freiburg arrive as league leaders
Freiburg’s position is markedly different this time. The SC have won all six competitive matches so far, scoring 22 goals and conceding four. They are Bundesliga leaders before what is their first serious test of the campaign.
Backhaus did not have a flawless opening period despite the results.
- In the 4-1 European win over Motherwell, a long-range shot slipped past him.
- He was also at fault in the 4-1 victory against Werder Bremen, failing to raise his arms quickly enough for a close-range header.
- He then helped Freiburg win 1-0 at Paderborn.
- Against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Freiburg won 5-0 without allowing the visitors a scoring chance.
Eggestein sees the goalkeeper settling
Maximilian Eggestein believes Backhaus has improved as he has adapted to the team. The midfielder said the German-Japanese goalkeeper is now much more involved in Freiburg’s rhythm, with the early adjustment period understandable.
Backhaus has also settled with the supporters. His Japanese-style greeting towards the stands has become a regular post-match exchange. Freiburg now want to turn that connection into their first win over Frankfurt since April 2022.
SEO Title: Freiburg’s Mio Backhaus Set for Frankfurt Reunion with Noah Atubolu
SEO Description: Freiburg goalkeeper Mio Backhaus faces former teammate Noah Atubolu in Frankfurt as Bundesliga leaders seek their first win over Eintracht since April 2022.
