Leeds United loanee Robin Koch has been criticised for a mistake in Eintracht Frankfurt’s cup defeat to third tier side FC Saarbrucken.
Frankfurt were beaten 2-0 on the night by their lower league opposition and therefore exit the DFB Pokal at the last-16 stage.
Koch was making his second start since recovering from an injury that saw him miss out on a return to the Germany squad, but did not cover himself in glory for Saarbrucken’s second goal.
The 27-year-old had looked as though he was in a good position to head clear a cross, but somehow let the ball go over his head, allowing the home side a simple tap in.
The Frankfurter Rundschau wrote that Koch played fairly well aside from that big mistake, but was under the ‘weakening’ section of the article, showing how costly his error was.
Poor defending from Koch
They said: “Robin Koch: Stand his ground for a long time, played fairly well. But before the 0-2 goal they tried to find their way, but the cross went under. Fouled before the supposed 0:1. Rightly whistled after VAR intervention. But the goal was only postponed.”
Koch had been in good form for Frankfurt prior to his injury and is said to have been left ‘inconsolable’ after it forced him to withdraw from the recent Germany squad.
But ultimately, Koch’s aim is to go to the European Championships with his country next summer and mistakes like this will only weaken his chances.
Frankfurt are still expected to sign him permanently next summer when his contract at Leeds expires, but this sort of mistake will be a worrying sign for the German side.
Poor defending was something Leeds saw all too often from Koch during his time at the club, though this looks like the first real mistake since moving on loan.
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