Hincapie sent off in 5-1 defeat in Frankfurt

Bayer 04 coach Xabi Alonso made four changes to the starting eleven in the 3-0 defeat against Porto in the Champions League. Jeremie Frimpong and Robert Andrich, who were suspended for the Champions League game, started in place of Amine Adli and Kerem Demirbay, Edmond Tapsoba replaced Odilon Kossounou in the defence, and Paulinho started on the left wing as Callum Hudson-Odoi suffered a knock to his knee against Porto and he was unavailable for the game against Eintracht. Bayer 04 are still missing the injured players Florian Wirtz, Exequiel Palacios, Karim Bellarabi and Sardar Azmoun. The Werkself again started with a 3-4-3 formation.

Eintracht had the first chance of the game with a decent long-range effort from Mario Götze but the ball flew a good 18 inches over Lukas Hradecky’s goal (5'). Shortly after that, Piero Hincapie made a last-ditch tackle to stop Kolo Muani (9') – a great intervention by the defender. The Eagles dominated the opening stages with lots of possession and endeavoured to get forward with a shot from Lindström on 14 minutes easily saved by Hradecky. Bayer 04 had their hands full dealing with the home side and scarcely managed to hold on to the ball for long. In addition, Leverkusen – like the hosts – had problems keeping their feet on a very slippery surface.

The first chance on goal for the Werkself came on 18 minutes when Moussa Diaby put Paulinho through with a back-heel but the Brazilian lost possession (18'). Frimpong made an impressive run down the right beating several opponents before cutting the ball back to Diaby but his shot was deflected away for a corner (20'). At the other end, Hradecky made a brilliant save to deny Muani in a one-on-one after a fine pass from Lindström (28') – Eintracht Frankfurt came close to taking the lead.

Frimpong hits the bar

Leverkusen had a chance to score when Frimpong hit a cross from Diaby to the far post onto the top of the bar (33'). Bayer 04 now had more possession and solidity but had to remain on their toes whenever Muani came close to the box. A great run by the Frenchman past three Leverkusen players ended with another excellent save by Hradecky (41'). The hosts did make the breakthrough in added time in the first half: Referee Willenborg awarded a penalty for a foul by Tapsoba on Lindström. Hradecky saved the penalty but VAR intervened and the spot-kick had to be retaken because the Finland keeper did not have both feet on the line. Kamada stepped up again and left Hradecky with no chance – the opener and a half-time lead for Eintracht.

Xabi Alonso made a double substitution after the break bringing on Kerem Demirbay and Nadiem Amiri for Charles Aránguiz and Paulinho. Bayer 04 now clearly looked to get on the front foot – and they were rewarded from a set play: Demirbay hit the ball in from the right and Hincapie raced through to beat the Frankfurt keeper Kevin Trapp with a flying header – 1-1 (56'). Frankfurt hit back almost straightaway. Christopher Lenz won the ball from Tapsoba and his cross from the left was headed home by Muani to make it 2-1 (58').

another penalty and second yellow card for Hincapie

Eintracht now had the wind in their sails: Lindström just missed the target from a counter-attack on the hour mark, a block tackle by Bakker on Eric Ebimbe ended up Hradecky making the save (61'). Eintracht kept up the pressure in search of goals: After Hincapie lost the ball, Lindström raced away and beat Hradecky with an impressive chip to make it 3-1 (65'). Hincapie was then only able to stop Muani in the box with a sliding tackle – and a foul was awarded after VAR was consulted: another penalty for Eintracht Frankfurt, a second yellow card for Hincapie, 4-1 to the Eagles with another strike from the penalty spot by Kamada (72'). The Werkself were under the cosh.

With a man down, it was a case of damage limitation for Bayer 04 with Kossounou coming on for Diaby (73'). Hradecky made another excellent save to deny a back-heel shot from Muani (76’). Daley Sinkgraven and Adam Hlozek came on for Patrik Schick and Mitchel Bakker (80'). And the fact substitute Lucas Alario made it 5-1 against his former teammates (86') fitted in with the story of a bad day at the office for Leverkusen.

Bayer 04 are at home on Bundesliga matchday eleven on Saturday 22 October when VfL Wolfsburg visit the BayArena with the kick off at 15.30 CEST.

Match stats:

Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp – Tuta, Jakic, Ndicka – Dina Ebimbe (Alidou 77’), Kamada (Wenig 87’), Sow (Rode 77’), Lenz – Lindström (Borré 77’), Götze – Kolo Muani (Alario 80’)

Bayer 04: Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie – Frimpong, Aránguiz (Demirbay 46’), Andrich, Bakker (Sinkgraven 80’) – Diaby (Kossounou 73’), Schick (Hlozek 80’), Paulinho (Amiri 46’)

Goals: 1-0 Kamada (pen. 45+4’), 1-1 Hincapie (56’), 2-1 Kolo Muani (58’), 3-1 Lindström (65’), 4-1 Kamada (pen. 72’), 5-1 Alario (86’)

Referee: Frank Willenborg (Osnabrück)

Booked: Andrich, Hincapie, Tapsoba

Sent off: Hincapie (71’)

Attendance: 49,700