Oscar Höjlund will use Denmark Under-21 duty to reset after a difficult start to the season at Eintracht Frankfurt. The 21-year-old captained his country in Monday’s 2-0 win over Belarus and now has European Championship qualifying matches away to Austria on Friday and at home to Belgium four days later.
The fixtures offer minutes and a chance to rebuild confidence. At club level, Höjlund has slipped down the midfield order under Adi Hütter after receiving regular starts during the second half of last season under Albert Riera.
Höjlund had viewed that previous campaign as personal progress despite Frankfurt’s disappointing collective results. He said he had taken a step forward and felt good about his development. That momentum has stalled early in the new Bundesliga season.
Two appearances, two costly moments
His first league outing came as a 79th-minute substitute at Union Berlin on matchday one. Höjlund was too passive in the build-up to Union’s goal in a 3-3 draw.
He then replaced Noel Aseko at half-time against SC Freiburg in Frankfurt’s latest home match. A weak challenge near the touchline led to Freiburg’s equaliser for 2-2.
Hütter criticised the team’s handling of the second goal, describing it as a gift after Frankfurt lost possession while in control near the sideline. The coach said such cheap concessions had also appeared against Augsburg and called the situation insufficiently professional. Captain Robin Koch was also exposed in the same sequence.
Aseko has moved ahead
Before the Freiburg game, Hütter had said squad players needed patience and had to take their opportunities when they arrived. Höjlund did not manage that, and another opening may not come quickly.
The Denmark midfielder remains at an early stage of his career, and setbacks are part of that process. But Frankfurt’s options are narrowing his route back into the side.
Aseko has returned after a lengthy knee problem and is expected to hold an advantage if he stays fit. He has been used as the more attacking player in the double pivot alongside Onyedika. Mario Götze can also operate in that role.
Höjlund is a more defensive midfield type, valued for breaking up play. Frankfurt’s match at Leipzig on matchday five could suit his profile, but only if he brings greater discipline in his positioning and more reliable work in duels.
