BUNDESLIGA PLAYER RATINGS | Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen kicked off the reign of Kasper Hjulmand with a tough game against an upstart Eintracht Frankfurt.

Under the new reign of the Dane, Leverkusen started the liveliest, as if a massive Dutch weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Their efforts were rewarded in the 10th minute when Leverkusen were awarded a free kick, and Alejandro Grimaldo did what he did best and opened the scoring from the set piece, with a little help from a Michael Zetterer deflection. Frankfurt had its fair share of chances, but die Werkself were the deadliest on the counter, with most of Leverkusen’s chances coming from it. Then the hosts were able to double their lead when Nathan Tella was brought down in the box, and Patrik Schick converted the resultant penalty to make it 2-0.

The second half saw Frankfurt come out a lot more energetic as they looked to get back into the game, and a series of events, starting with Can Uzun’s goal to make it 2-1, then Robert Andrich’s sending off for a second yellow card, looked as if it had given Frankfurt the perfect opportunity.

However, as great as this Frankfurt side has been in the open games, they struggled to create any meaningful opportunities for themselves; their best chance was from Nmandi Collins, who hit the crossbar, but apart from that, they were only able to muster 2 shots on target (via FotMob).

Things would descend into chaos in the final seven minutes of added time. Substitute Equi Fernandez would be sent off in the 92nd minute for a second yellow card, then in the 98th minute, if there was any doubt about whether Grimaldo’s first goal counted, the Spaniard did the same again and from a direct free kick was able to make 3-1.

It wasn’t pretty, but Leverkusen won their first game of the season and won their first game under Kasper Hjulmand. The win will be a big confidence boost for a talented team who were clearly lacking in it under Erik ten Hag. Considering they went down to nine men, Leverkusen defended very well despite being one and then two men down.

Under Hjulmand, Die Werkself will be one to watch going forward. All the players will now be settled, and once the Dane gets his philosophy and style of play across, it will be interesting to see how they develop as individuals. As shown today with Grimaldo, Leverkusen have a very good set of players, and once they gel, they will be able to see how good they actually are.

For Frankfurt, it is a gut punch, and it has shown which phase they are currently in under Dino Toppmoller. If die Adler want to be fighting at the top of the table this season, this youthful team must learn from this loss and use it going forward.

Bayer Leverkusen:

Mark Flekken (5) – Jarell Quansah (6), Edmond Tapsoba (6), Loïc Badé (6) – Lucas Vazquez (6), Robert Andrich (5), Ezequiel Palacios (-), Alejandro Grimaldo (8) – Nathan Tella (6), Malik Tillman (6) – Patrik Schick (6)

Others: Aleix Garcia (5), Equi Fernandez (4), Christian Kofane (-), Axel Tape (-)

Eintracht Frankfurt:

Michael Zetterer (5) – Rasmus Kristensen (-), Nnmadi Collins (5), Robin Koch (5), Arthur Theate (5) – Oscar Højlund (5), Fares Chaïbi (5) – Ritsu Doan (5), Can Uzun (6), Jean Bahoya (5) – Jonathan Burkardt (5)

Others: Nathaniel Brown (5), Michy Batshuayi (5), Ansgar Knauff (-), Mahmoud Dahoud (-), Elye Wahi (-)

GGFN Player of the Match: Alejandro Grimaldo (8)

2 great free-kick goals, but Grimaldo looked like a leader for Leverkusen this evening. The 29-year-old looked back to the level that he showed in the 2023/24 season, and if he can maintain close to this level this season, then he will big a major addition for the Leverkusen side as they learn and adapt to Hjulmand’s ways.

GGFN | Jack Meenan