Eintracht Frankfurt crushed 0-7 by Brentford in final pre-season test

Frankfurt's defensive collapse

Eintracht Frankfurt suffered a 0-7 (0-3) defeat at Premier League side FC Brentford on August 15, 2026, six days before their competitive season opener in the DFB-Pokal first round. The match served as a final pre-season test for the Bundesliga club, but the team under returning coach Adi Hütter showed defensive weaknesses reminiscent of the previous season. Brentford, who finished ninth in the last Premier League campaign, exploited the visitors' vulnerabilities with clinical efficiency. Kevin Schade, a former Freiburg player and German national team member, struck with Brentford's first attack in the 2nd minute. Mamadou Sangaré added a second in the 12th minute, when Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos let the ball slip through his fingers. Igor Thiago made it 3-0 before halftime with a goal in the 41st minute. The visitors had no grip on the game at any point, and the defense wobbled worryingly as it had throughout the previous season.

Captain Koch injured and second-half collapse

Frankfurt's problems compounded when captain Robin Koch had to be substituted injured in the first half, adding to the defensive concerns. After the break, the Hütter-led side collapsed entirely and fell apart completely, conceding two quick doubles in short succession while offering no resistance. Dango Ouattara scored in the 52nd minute and Keane Lewis-Porter in the 57th. Igor Thiago added his second in the 68th minute, and Kevin Schade completed the rout in the 70th. Brentford missed further high-quality chances as Frankfurt looked defenseless. The defeat leaves Frankfurt with significant concerns ahead of their DFB-Pokal first-round match at fifth-division SC St. Tönis on Friday. Their Bundesliga campaign begins on August 29 at Union Berlin.

Leverkusen and Gladbach win friendlies

Bayer Leverkusen won 2-1 (1-1) at Newcastle United on Saturday, August 15. Ibrahim Maza gave Leverkusen an early lead in the 2nd minute before Newcastle's Malick Thiaw headed in an equalizer in the 44th. Victor Boniface, back at Leverkusen after a loan spell at Bremen since the summer, scored the winner in the 82nd minute shortly after coming on as a substitute. It was the sixth win in seven pre-season tests for new coach Carles Martínez. Leverkusen visit third-division SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the DFB-Pokal on Saturday, then start the Bundesliga at promoted SV Elversberg. Borussia Mönchengladbach beat Europa League winners Aston Villa 2-1 (2-0) at home in Borussia Park, with captain Tim Kleindienst, mostly injured last season, scoring both goals in quick succession in the 32nd and 35th minutes.

Hoffenheim and Augsburg also fall

TSG Hoffenheim lost 0-3 at Tottenham Hotspur, and FC Augsburg fell 0-4 to Leeds United, rounding off a difficult day for Bundesliga sides against English opposition. All five matches were part of the final round of pre-season friendlies for Bundesliga clubs, scheduled one week before the DFB-Pokal first round. Of the five Bundesliga clubs that faced Premier League teams, only Leverkusen and Gladbach emerged with wins. Frankfurt's 0-7 defeat was by far the heaviest loss of the day.

Frankfurt7

Augsburg4

Hoffenheim3

Leverkusen1

Gladbach1

Frankfurt

7 goals

Augsburg

4 goals

Hoffenheim

3 goals

Leverkusen

1 goals

Gladbach

1 goals

Data from the article text