Hull City Injury Troubles Continue as Pre-Season Friendly Defeat Mounts
Hull City's pre-season friendly defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt highlights the team's growing injury concerns, with key players Paddy McNair and Liam Millar forced off the pitch.
The Tigers, who are currently 22 points behind leaders Coventry in the Championship, lost key players Paddy McNair and Liam Millar to injury during the match. McNair was forced off the pitch inside five minutes, while Millar limped off with a knee injury in the first period.
Despite a dominant spell from the visitors, Frankfurt took a controversial lead when Raphael Onyedika's ball over the top found Jonathan Burkardt in space to slot in the net. The Tigers felt he was offside, and that an earlier free-kick had been taken too quickly.
To make matters worse, before the interval in a game being played over 120 minutes, split into two one-hour games, Frankfurt doubled their lead when Love Arrhov curled beyond an unsighted Tzolakis to seal victory for the Bundesliga side.
City ended the game with a host of young players in their team, though they were able to get 90 minutes into Tzolakis and an hour into Jens Hjerto-Dahl. Calvin Okike came closest to pulling a goal back when his effort was cleared off the line from Kieran Dowell's corner.
Attention for City now turns to the transfer market, and their final friendly of the summer against Nice on Saturday. The team is currently 6th in the Championship, with 73 points from 46 games, and a goal difference of +4.
What happened?
Hull City suffered a 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.
Why it matters for Hull City
The team's growing injury concerns are a major concern ahead of the new season, with key players Paddy McNair and Liam Millar forced off the pitch during the match.
What comes next?
Attention for City now turns to the transfer market, and their final friendly of the summer against Nice on Saturday.
The team is currently 22 points behind leaders Coventry in the Championship, and will be looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season. With 70 goals scored and 66 conceded so far this season, City will be hoping to improve their defensive record and push for a top-six finish.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 6th in Championship, 73 pts, 21W-10D-15L from 46 games, recent form WWDWL.
Goals this season: 70 scored, 66 conceded (+4 goal difference).
Title race: 22 points behind leaders Coventry.
Next fixture: vs Manchester City (away, 2026-12-19).
