Alejandro Grimaldo emerged as the key player for Bayer Leverkusen, netting a double in their 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Grimaldo found the back of the net with a goal from open play at the 9’ minute of the first half and another from a free kick at the 52’ minute of the second half. Additionally, Patrik Schick added to the score with a penalty goal just after halftime at the 48’ minute. Eintracht Frankfurt’s only goal came from Can Uzun early in the second period at the 51’ minute.
Grimaldo’s exceptional performance earned him the title of man of the match, marking his presence with two goals and a total of two shots on target.
Patrik Schick also had a commendable performance, contributing a goal that highlighted his skills as a frontman.
Bayer Leverkusen’s coach, Kasper Hjulmand, fielded a 3-6-1 formation with Mark Flekken in goal; Loic Bade, Jarell Quansah, and Edmond Tapsoba in defense; and a midfield comprising Lucas Vázquez, Exequiel Palacios, Robert Andrich, Alejandro Grimaldo, Nathan Tella, and Malik Tillman, with Schick leading the attack.
On the opposing bench, Eintracht Frankfurt, managed by Dino Toppmoller, opted for a 4-5-1 setup featuring Michael Zetterer as goalkeeper; Rasmus Kristensen, Nnamdi Collins, Robin Koch, and Arthur Theate in defense; while Ritsu Doan, Can Uzun, Oscar Hojlund, Fares Chaibi, and Jean Bahoya were stationed in midfield, with Jonathan Burkardt in the forward position.
Deniz Aytekin officiated the match at BayArena, where Bayer Leverkusen will next host B. Mönchengladbach, while Eintracht Frankfurt will be at home against Union Berlin.
Following this match, Bayer Leverkusen holds 4 points in the tournament, positioning them in seventh place, while Eintracht Frankfurt remains third with 6 points.
Substitutions for Bayer Leverkusen
14’ 1T – Exequiel Palacios out; Aleix García in
61’ 2T – Malik Tillman out; Ezequiel Fernández in
81’ 2T – Patrik Schick out; Christian Kofane in and Nathan Tella out; Axel Tape in
Yellow Cards for Bayer Leverkusen:
18’ 1T Robert Andrich (Holding an opponent to prevent an advance), 32’ 2T Ezequiel Fernández (Unsportsmanlike behavior), and 48’ 2T Lucas Vázquez (Disputing with an opponent)
Red Cards for Bayer Leverkusen:
13’ 2T Robert Andrich (Red for second yellow) and 46’ 2T Ezequiel Fernández (Red for second yellow)
Substitutions for Eintracht Frankfurt
70’ 2T – Oscar Hojlund out; Michy Batshuayi in
72’ 2T – Elye Wahi out; context needed
82’ 2T – Jean Bahoya out; Ansgar Knauff in, Jonathan Burkardt out; Mahmoud Dahoud in, and Rasmus Kristensen out; Nathaniel Brown in
Yellow Cards for Eintracht Frankfurt:
33’ 2T Can Uzun (Unsportsmanlike behavior), 48’ 2T Elye Wahi (Disputing with an opponent), and 51’ 2T Arthur Theate (Insulting or disapproving of the referee)