Bayer Leverkusen is simply unstoppable in the Bundesliga. Like a coming champion, Xabi Alonso’s team also dismantled Eintracht Frankfurt into all its individual parts: 3-0 (1-0) was the result on Sunday (December 17th, 2023), which was ultimately a flattering result of a class difference for the guests – especially in the second round .
“Frankfurt put pressure on us at the beginning, but we never had the feeling that it was dangerous”said Bayer’s midfield boss Granit Xhaka afterwards to the sports show. “It was another deserved win for us. What was crucial was how we came out in the first ten minutes of the second half; in the end we could or should have made it 4-0 and 5-0. But nobody ever has Christmas won a title, records are nice, but we just have to keep working.”
Torge Hidding, Sportschau, December 17, 2023 7:48 p.m
Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller admitted: “We have seen that Leverkusen is the team that is still unbeaten in all competitions. We have to accept that, even if it is difficult. But we don’t have to leave here with our heads hanging down, wipe our mouths and move on.”
The first half was extremely uneventful. At the end of the 45 minutes the score was 0.15 to 0.16 according to the so-called “expected goals”. However, Leverkusen scored 1.0 from this 0.15 chance: Victor Boniface made Kevin Trapp look very bad in the Frankfurt goal with his low shot from the half-left position (14th minute), and the keeper immediately put his hands above his head when the ball crossed the line.
Frankfurt offensively lacking
However, Bayer didn’t show much of the wonderful one-touch football after winning the ball in the Eintracht half that preceded this goal initiated by Florian Wirtz until the break. Eintracht defended with concentration in midfield, Bayer were visually superior, but hardly managed to get any shots.
Only a misplaced cross from Alex Grimaldo (31′) and three minutes later a free kick from the Spaniard onto the goal net caused slight excitement, but practically nothing came from Frankfurt offensively: two harmless attempts to finish were the Hessians’ gain in the entire first half.
Torge Hidding, Sportschau, December 17, 2023 8:11 p.m
Dream goal from Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz
Dino Toppmöller’s team was still standing on exactly these two shots after an hour – but by then the game was decided. After 50 minutes, Exequiel Palacios drove the ball powerfully through the midfield, fed Boniface, whose hard shot was deflected by Trapp – Jeremy Frimpong switched faster than the Eintracht defense and pushed in to make it 2-0.
Even before the guests could decide whether a determined comeback or just limiting the damage would be the better choice for the last 40 minutes, Leverkusen gave the answer. This time Wirtz and Boniface swapped roles, the center forward played the dream pass deep, Wirtz went alone to Trapp and lofted the ball into the net with outstanding ball feel (57th).
Burkhard Hupe, Sportschau, December 17, 2023 7:37 p.m
Eintracht’s first chance after 70 minutes
Frankfurt had their first serious opportunity to score a goal after 70 minutes: Fares Chaibi narrowly failed with a very nice shot from the left half. Bayer then played the game home safely and could have won even more with a little more overview and less stubbornness on the counterattack.
Frankfurt was also lucky that after a clear handball by Willian Pacho a quarter of an hour before the end there was no penalty for Leverkusen despite a VAR check.
Twice aluminum and one VAR intervention
In the 80th minute, Wirtz had the score 4-0 in sight, but his once again superbly curled finish hit the crossbar. And the aluminum saved Trapp again: After a cross from Nathan Tella, Piero Hincapié failed at the left post (86th).
Tella then went deep again in stoppage time, Pacho caught up with him and, with all his effort, tackled the ball for a corner. Referee Christian Dingert initially pointed to the penalty spot, but was called to the screen by the VAR and then reversed his wrong decision.
Bayer against Bochum, Eintracht welcomes Gladbach
The Werkself will face VfL Bochum during the week (Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). Frankfurt hosts Gladbach.