Bayern Leverkusen defeat Eintracht Frankfurt in unconventional manner

Bayern Leverkusen had a unorthodox start under new manager Kasper Hjulmand, having sacked Ten Hagg, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 at the BayArena, but receiving two red cards.

Hjulmand’s side took the lead after Grimaldo dispatched a central free kick from range, smashing against the post and then ricochetting off the goalkeepers back to find the net. Grimaldo will be gutted to see his spectacular strike has gone down as an own goal for goalkeeper Zetterer, I think both players would rather see the taker credited.

Things went from bad to worse for Frankfurt in added time in the first half as Leverkusen were awarded a penalty. Quansah left out a leg and brought down Tella, catching his foot as the attacker went past him. Schick was on hand to tuck home the penalty to double the lead.

Injuries plagued the opening 10’, with Leverkusen’s Palacios going down in the 4’ but able to push through, and then Frankfurt’s Nissen going down just four minutes later, having to be replaced by Brown. Palacios only lasted an extra 10’ before coming off for Garcia.

Leverkusen sat deep for most the game, with their front three breaking fast through the middle on a turnover. Meanwhile Frankfurt looked to control possession, with slow build up play from the back, but the rarely managed to make this count for anything and often lost the ball once inside the oppositions half.

Unfortunately the beginning of the second half was difficult to watch, not because of the quality of football, but fans set off a series of flares which drastically reduced visibility.

Flekken may argue reduced visibility helped Uzun get one back for the visitor, making it 2-1 in the 51’. Uzun struck the ball on the bounce into the ground after a scramble in the box, a deflection helped the shot on its way.

Leverkusen seemed in a self-destructive mood in the second half, as captain Andrich was dismissed for a second bookable offence. He was booked for descent in the first half, and then going off his feet to recover a ball in the second half to earn his dismissal.

Collins nearly rifled a shot from 30 yards into the top corner, instead rattling the crossbar and scaring Leverkusen fans. Mere inches away from equalising the game.

Batshuayi, moments after coming on, had a nasty head collision with Bade which left both men needing medical attention, thankfully neither was seriously hurt and able to continue.

Tape had the opportunity to wrap up the game in the 84’ for Leverkusen, bursting forward from defence on an amazing run and forcing a good save out of Zetterer, but did have Vazquez open for a tap in.

To finish of the game, Leverkusen was reduced to nine men in added time. Substitute Fernandez received two bookings and was dismissed on his debut, with his second booking being for recklessly coming off his feet.

Frankfurts fate was sealed as Grimaldo gets his name on the scoresheet from another free kick, going over the fall and kissing the post as it goes in. The keeper elects not to move this time.