Bayer Leverkusen secured a dramatic 3-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, marking a triumphant debut for new boss Kasper Hjulmand. The match, filled with excitement and tension, saw Leverkusen finish with only nine players on the pitch but still manage to clinch their first win of the season.
The scoring opened in the 10th minute with a stunning free-kick from Alex Grimaldo, setting the tone for Leverkusen's dominance in the first half. Patrik Schick extended their lead just before the break, converting a penalty after Robin Koch fouled Nathan Tella. Frankfurt's goalkeeper, Michael Zetterer, had previously kept Leverkusen at bay, but Schick's spot-kick doubled the home side's advantage.
Eintracht Frankfurt fought back early in the second half, with Can Uzun firing a brilliant shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. However, Leverkusen's resilience shone through, despite facing adversity.
The game took a dramatic turn when Leverkusen skipper Robert Andrich received his second yellow card in the 59th minute for a challenge on Ritsu Doan. To add to the tension, Ezequiel Fernández was also sent off in stoppage time for a reckless tackle, reducing Leverkusen to nine men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the team displayed remarkable determination.
Before Fernández's dismissal, Nnamdi Collins almost secured a third goal for Leverkusen, only to see his shot hit the crossbar. Deep into stoppage time, Grimaldo sealed the victory with another exquisite free-kick, his second of the match, sending the Leverkusen fans into raptures.
Hjulmand's Impact
Kasper Hjulmand, the former Denmark coach, was appointed as Leverkusen's manager following Erik ten Hag's dismissal last week. This victory marks a significant milestone for Hjulmand, securing his first Bundesliga win in charge. Frankfurt, who had previously defeated Werder Bremen 4-1 and Hoffenheim 3-1, found themselves outmatched by a resilient Leverkusen side.
Key Moments:
- Grimaldo's stunning free-kicks
- Schick's penalty conversion
- Uzun's impressive goal for Frankfurt
- Andrich and Fernández's red cards
- Collins' near-miss hitting the crossbar