Bayer 04 bounce back with 3-0 win

Schmidt had to make a number of changes to his starting eleven: Jonathan Tah was unavailable after suffering a thigh injury in the 1-0 defeat at Hamburg SV. He was replaced in central defence by Tin Jedvaj. Schmidt also rotated his line-up in four positions: Lars Bender and Chicharito returned after injury and youngsters Kai Havertz and Julian Brandt also started. Charles Aránguiz, Kevin Volland, Julian Baumgartlinger (all on the bench) plus Admir Mehmedi were left out.

Excellent start

The Werkself were first out of the blocks and raced off to a great start. Havertz beat four Frankfurt players in the box and an attempted clearance saw the ball land at the feet of Chicharito. The Mexican did not hesitate and he fired the ball into the back of the Eintracht net – 1-0 on five minutes. The game then developed into a hard-fought encounter.

The visitors, coming to Leverkusen in confident mood after reaching the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup in the week, did not take long to recover from conceding so early in the game. They endeavoured to put the Werkself under pressure playing down the wings. And, to a certain extent, they succeeded: With 20 minutes gone, Frankfurt’s Mijat Gacinovic hit a low drive at the target but Bayer 04 keeper Bernd Leno pulled off a great save. The 24-year-old Germany international was also on the spot six minutes later when he brilliantly saved a volley from Branimir Hrgota with his leg

The Werkself stuck to their task, clearly enjoying the encounter, and they created opportunities on the Eintracht goal. The lively Karim Bellarabi missed the chance to double the lead on 34 minutes. His volley on the right side of the six-yard box from a Bender cross hit the side netting. The defences of the two teams had the upper hand from that point so that Bayer 04 were able to take a 1-0 lead into the half-time break.

Volland’s first goal seals victory

Roger Schmidt's team again pressed forward after the restart. Bellarabi (46'), Chicharito (49') and Brandt (50') all had opportunities to extend the lead. Bayer 04 kept Eintracht penned back in their own half. Everything pointed to the second goal coming soon. And the Werkself did not have to wait long for their reward: Brandt showed his class on the left flank beating three opponents before picking out an unmarked Kampl who, in turn, crossed into the box to Bellarabi. The Germany international laid the ball onto Chicharito and the striker rounded off an excellent move with a wonder strike from close distance to make it 2-0 on 63 minutes. That was the eighth goal of the season for the Mexican.

The Werkself did not sit back and continued to press Frankfurt thereby keeping them in check. Kevin Volland came off the bench and he settled proceedings on 78 minutes when he scored to make it 3-0 with another assist from Bellarabi. That was the first Bundesliga goal in a Leverkusen shirt for the former Hoffenheim striker.

Hradecky saves Frankfurt from bigger defeat

The Werkself could easily have clocked up an even more convincing win. The impressive Havertz (81') and Brandt (84') missed out on the opportunity to crown their outstanding performances with a goal. And that was due, in large part, to the impressive Frankfurt goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. Volland went close to scoring a second with a header on 83 minutes. The game ended in a deserved 3-0 victory for the Werkself.

One disappointment: Ömer Toprak picked up a fifth yellow card and will miss Friday's match (20.30 CET) away to FC Augsburg currently lying twelfth in the table.

Match stats

Bayer 04: Leno – Henrichs, Jedvaj, Toprak, Wendell – Bender (Aránguiz 62’) , Kampl – Bellarabi, Brandt – Havertz ( Pohjanpalo 90’) – Chicharito (Volland 70’)

Eintracht Frankfurt: Hradecky – M.Hector,Hasebe,Vallejo –Chandler,Mascarell,Oczipka –Barkok,Gacinovic(Rebic 52’) – Hrgota (Seferovic 76’), Meier(Tarashaj 66’)

Goals: 1-0 Chicharito (5’), 2-0 Chicharito (63’), 3-0 Volland (78’)

Booked: Bender, Toprak – Gacinovic

Referee: Benjamin Cortus (Röthenbach a. d. Pegnitz)

Attendance: 28,880