Head coach Xabi Alonso, who served a one-match ban and watched the match from the stands, made eight changes to the XI that beat AS Roma 2-0 in the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg. Only Xhaka, Edmond Tapsoba and Robert Andrich remained in the starting line-up. Arthur, who made his comeback after being sidelined with injury for more than seven months, was among the new players and made his competitive debut as a starter for Bayer 04. As usual, the Werkself tried to control and calm proceedings against the bold home side in front of 5,600 travelling Bayer 04 fans. Nathan Tella in particular launched attacks down the right in the early stages.
In the 12th minute it was Arthur who launched a foray down the left. The Brazilian’s cross was cleared by Robin Koch, but Xhaka got hold of the ball via Adam Hlozek and found the top right corner of the net from 20 yards. The Black and Reds had a number of promising chances, including Exequiel Palacios’ opening following Jonas Hofmann’s pass after 20 minutes, but failed to double the lead. The equaliser came out of the blue when Fares Chaibi’s cross found Hugo Etikité behind the rearguard, the forward powering a header into the far corner of the net (32’). Eintracht’s Omar Marmoush missed a gilt-edged chance (42’) before Schick restored Leverkusen’s lead before half-time (44’). Hlozek had just set up his Czech compatriot, who beat Tuta to the ball, and the Black and Reds were a goal up at half-time.
Frankfurt were more active after the restart and Chaibi had the first clear-cut chance of the second half, but the home side suffered another setback when Niels Nkounkou upended Tella in the box before the hour mark, referee Christian Dingert pointing to the spot. Up stepped Palacios and found the bottom right corner of the net to make it 3-1 (58’).
Eintracht were not deflated by Leverkusen’s third goal and boldly pressured Bayer 04, with the Black and Reds mainly looking to strike on the break now. The approach paid off when they won the ball and Hlozek found sub Jeremie Frimpong at the far post, the Dutchman crowning quick interplay to make it 4-1 (77’). It was Hlozek’s third assist on Sunday, but Leverkusen were not done. Ansgar Knauff tripped Frimpong in the box in the closing stages and the Black and Reds were awarded another penalty. Sub Boniface stepped up this time and fired into the centre of the net to seal the final 5-1 scoreline (89’).
The Black and Reds are back in action on Thursday 9 May (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), when they entertain AS Roma at the BayArena in the UEFA Europe League semi-final return leg before travelling to VfL Bochum’s Vonovia Ruhrstadion in their second-to-last Bundesliga match on Sunday 12 May (kick-off: 19:30 CEST).
Match stats
Frankfurt: Trapp - Tuta, Koch, Pacho, Nkounkou (70. Knauff) - Götze, Skhiri (70. Larsson) - Dina Ebimbe (80. Buta), Chaibi (80. Bahoya), Marmoush, Ekitiké (80. Ferri)
Bayer 04: Hradecky - Kossounou, Andrich (83. Puerta), Tapsoba - Tella (72. Frimpong), Xhaka (72. Tah), Palacios, Arthur (61. Hincapie) - Hofmann, Hlozek - Schick (61. Boniface)
Goals: 0-1 Xhaka (12), 1-1 Ekitiké (32), 1-2 Schick (44), 1-3 Palacios (58/pen), 1-4 Frimpong (77), 1-5 Boniface (89/pen)
Referee: Christian Dingert (Lebecksmühle)
Attendance: 58,000 (capacity) at Deutsche Bank Park
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