Bayer Leverkusen continued their unbeaten run with a 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, with a score line that flatters their performance.
Naturally, like most games this season, Leverkusen were in control and opened the scoring within the first 15 minutes with a thunderbolt strike from Granit Xhaka. However, defensively Leverkusen were not as solid today and Frankfurt and several great chances and were able to equalise when Hugo Ekitike finished off a well worked corner routine.
But instead of going in at half-time worrying, Leverkusen took the lead once again when Patrik Schick nodded in a Adam Hlozek cross.
In the second half, the game was over in the 58th minute when Niels Nkounkou pulled down Nathan Tella in the box to allow Exequiel Palacios to double Frankfurt’s lead. Frankfurt would continue to have clear chances to get back into the game, but their effort in front of goal was their undoing today.
Substitute Jeremie Frimpong would then connect with a Hlozek cross to make it 4-1 for Leverkusen, before Victor Boniface scored the fifth in the 89th minute with another penalty.
Overall, Leverkusen were not the strongest defensively but rode their luck due to Frankfurt’s struggle when it came to finishing their chances. It was obvious that Die Werkself’s eyes were on their second leg against Roma on Thursday but they will need to make sure they perform better defensively if they want to make sure they do not crash out.
Eintracht Frankfurt XI:
Kevin Trapp (5), Tuta (5), Robin Koch (5), Willian Pacho (5), Niels Nkounkou (5), Ellyes Skhiri (5), Mario Götze (5), Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe (5), Farés Chaïbi (5), Hugo Ekitike (6), Omar Marmoush (5)
Others: Hugo Larsson (5), Ansgar Knauf (5), Jean Bahoya (-), Aurelio Buta (-), Nacho Ferri (-)
Bayer Leverkusen XI
Lukas Hradecky (6), Odilon Kossounou (6), Robert Andrich (6), Edmond Tapsoba (6), Nathan Tella (6), Granit Xhaka (6), Exequiel Palacios (7), Arthur (6), Jonas Hofmann (5), Adam Hlozek (8), Patrik Schick (6)
Others: Piero Hincapié (5), Victor Boniface (6), Jonathan Tah (5), Jeremie Frimpong (5), Gustavo Puerta (-)
GGFN | Jack Meenan
