Their strong Bundesliga showing the previous season meant that Eintracht Frankfurt kicked off the 1972-73 campaign participating in a UEFA-affiliated competition for the first time since their famous European Cup Final appearance in 1960. Unfortunate to be drawn against eventual winners Liverpool in the opening round, Frankfurt exited the competition earlier than they would have liked and the club missed out on qualification for the following year's competition thanks to an 8th placed Bundesliga finish in which a 5-0 home win over Köln was the highlight.