Super Eagles forward, Nathan Tella, was on the scoresheet as Bayer Leverkusen delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at the Waldstadion. The win keeps Leverkusen within eight points of league leaders Bayern Munich.
The match began with both teams showing plenty of energy, but Leverkusen soon asserted their dominance.
It was only a matter of time before they broke the deadlock, and when Frankfurt failed to clear their lines, Granit Xhaka seized the opportunity.
The Swiss midfielder played a precise pass to Nathan Tella, who slotted home the equalizer. Leverkusen kept up the pressure, and from a well-delivered corner, Nordi Mukiele reacted quickest in the box to prod the ball over the line, making it 2-0.
Shortly after, Alejandro Grimaldo set up Patrik Schick with a clever cut-back, and the Czech striker made no mistake, extending Leverkusen’s lead to 3-0.
Despite their dominance, Leverkusen suffered a brief lapse in concentration. Mukiele’s errant back pass put goalkeeper Lukas Hrádecký under pressure, and his mistake allowed Hugo Ekitiké to pounce, giving Frankfurt a glimmer of hope going into halftime.
Frankfurt emerged from the break with renewed energy, attempting to claw their way back into the match.
However, Leverkusen remained disciplined, absorbing the pressure before striking on the counter. A cross from Jeremie Frimpong wasn’t properly cleared, and Aleix García capitalized with a long-range effort that goalkeeper Kevin Trapp couldn’t keep out, making it 4-1.
With the result all but secured, both teams lowered the tempo, mindful of their upcoming European fixtures.
Leverkusen shifted their focus to a crucial Champions League round of 16 clash against Bayern Munich, while Frankfurt prepared for their Europa League trip to Amsterdam to face Ajax.
While not a flawless performance from Leverkusen, the efficiency with which they closed out the game was ideal. If they can replicate this level of play against Bayern on Wednesday, they stand a strong chance of securing another important victory.
Defensively, apart from their first-half blunder, the reigning champions remained largely untroubled.
Frimpong and Grimaldo dominated their respective flanks, while Xhaka and García controlled the midfield battle. Remarkably, Florian Wirtz didn’t even need to register a goal or assist for Leverkusen to run out comfortable winners.
For Frankfurt, back-to-back defeats against Bayern and Leverkusen underline the gap between them and the Bundesliga’s elite.
Their poor form is becoming a concern, with Mainz now just one point behind them, and Freiburg capable of drawing level if they beat Augsburg in their next fixture.
A major issue for Frankfurt has been their defensive struggles, having failed to keep a clean sheet since their 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in mid-January.
Ultimately, this was a well-rounded team performance from Leverkusen, with no single player stealing the spotlight. However, if a Man of the Match had to be chosen, it would be Aleix García.
The Spaniard, alongside Xhaka, dictated the game in midfield. Despite initial struggles since arriving from Girona in the summer, García delivered a performance to build on. He created the most chances (four) and sealed Leverkusen’s dominant display with a goal.
Xhaka also showcased his leadership in midfield, while Mukiele, despite his error, was a solid presence at the back, proving to be an astute signing. Perhaps even Leverkusen’s best acquisition of the season.
